US proposes $300 billion fund to rebuild Iran while denying it will pay

A Marshall Plan for the Middle East: Washington proposes a $300 billion fund for Iran

The US has floated the creation of an international fund of at least $300 billion for Iran's reconstruction, according to the memorandum of understanding to be signed next Friday. The paradox: both Trump and his vice president Vance have publicly denied that the money will come from US coffers. "The deal says they won't receive a single cent of American money," Vance said on Fox. Trump reiterated the same from the G-7. A fund that is "international" in practice would miccionan other countries — European allies, China, Russia, Gulf monarchies — foot the bill.

Who really pays for the reconstruction?

Tehran has demanded compensation since the start of negotiations for the damage caused by a war it did not start. And Washington appears willing to grant it — as long as the money comes from the international community. The move makes geopolitical sense: normalizing Iran at no direct cost to the American taxpayer, but skepticism is spreading. "First they wanted us to pay for the war; now they want us to pay for the reconstruction," sums up one critical view. The fund would be a victory for the ayatollahs, who would obtain massive financing with no clear conditions.

The business of war and peace

Accusations of profiteering were not long in coming. It is claimed that Trump's inner circle took advantage of the conflict's ups and downs to speculate on the stock market: buying before peace was announced, selling before bombings were announced. A pattern that, according to critics, repeated itself until the market stopped reacting to the tweets. Now that the volatility is exhausted, it is time for "others to pay for the party." The White House denies it, but the shadow of conflict of interest hangs over the deal.

Will the rest of the world agree to put $300 billion on the table while the US washes its hands of it?