NEW YORK (VINnews) — On Saturday, Arab media featured a heated discussion about the new memorandum of understanding signed between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Arab world’s most popular and influential current affairs program, “Al-Hekaya” (“The Story”), broadcast on Egypt’s MBC channel, hosted senior journalist Amr Adib and political analyst Raghida Dergham from Al Arabiya for an in-depth analysis of the memorandum’s 14 clauses.

Amr Adib opened the discussion with a sarcastic but critical tone, expressing what he said was the prevailing sentiment in the Middle East and Europe:

“The general mood around the world—America, Europe, the Middle East, the Gulf states—is one of dissatisfaction with what happened. This agreement is not being digested; it is not being accepted. Who exactly does this agreement satisfy? Most people feel that it is an agreement in Iran’s favor.”

Adib continued by arguing that the benefits granted to Iran were so extensive that many countries would envy them: “Many countries would wish they had been the ones attacked instead of Iran, considering the gains Iran has now received. There is a great deal of strangeness in this.”

Raghida Dergham, the senior commentator, addressed what she sees as Trump’s motivation behind the agreement: “In my opinion, U.S. President Donald Trump gave the Islamic Republic of Iran what it wanted more than anything else. Out of the 14 clauses, perhaps half a clause fulfills his own aspirations and objectives, while the remaining clauses serve Iran.”

Dergham further argued that Trump had surrendered a key economic pressure tool and thereby strengthened Iran’s ruling establishment: “He is freeing them from economic pressure. American funds are now flowing to this regime, and even more funds will continue to flow. This means empowering the Revolutionary Guards to tighten their grip over all matters.”

Regarding Iran’s nuclear program, missiles, and drones, she said: “These issues were postponed to later stages at Iran’s request. The Americans were even forced to accept arrangements that undermine Lebanese sovereignty and grant legitimacy to Hezbollah as an official arm of Tehran.”

Amr Adib returned to his criticism of the negotiations: “You always thought he would bring them down to earth. They came down defeated. We’re talking about a country without control of its skies, without leadership, without an economy, and this is the outcome you get? This is the agreement that such a weak country receives from the strongest country in the world?”

In conclusion, Dergham warned:”This is a major mistake that will haunt Donald Trump. He will have to deal with the consequences of this mistake inside the United States as well.”

Adib also highlighted what he described as a lack of confidence among regional states: “The entire Arab world will pay the price for this! The Saudi foreign minister said, ‘I know nothing about this fund!’ … The Israeli said, ‘To hell with all of you, I’m going to attack Lebanon today!’ and he moved in to expand his occupation in order to strike Hezbollah once again.”