Darya Safai: Trump’s Iran Deal a ‘Catastrophe’ for the West

Flemish-Iranian MP Darya Safai (N-VA) has launched a blistering critique of the nuclear deal negotiated by former US President Donald Trump to end the 2026 Iran War, warning that the agreement effectively invests in “future murderers.” In an exclusive interview with Het Laatste Nieuws, Safai called the 14-point Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 18 a “catastrophe” that rewards the Iranian regime without securing meaningful concessions.

The Deal and the Backdrop

The Trump administration signed an initial framework deal on June 18, 2026, ending a devastating four-month conflict — the 2026 Iran War — that began with US-Israeli airstrikes in late February. The war resulted in thousands of casualties, the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and massive regional destruction. Iran retaliated by closing the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a global fuel crisis.

The 14-point agreement aims to restore pre-war conditions by reopening the Strait of Hormuz, lifting sanctions, and continuing nuclear negotiations. But critics argue it gives Iran billions in sanctions relief and reconstruction funds without requiring concrete concessions on its nuclear program or support for proxy groups.

Safai’s Warning: ‘Investing in Future Murderers’

Speaking to HLN from Los Angeles, where she attended the Iran vs. New Zealand World Cup match to protest the Iranian regime, Safai did not mince words.

“With the lifting of certain sanctions and the resumption of oil exports, Iran’s money flows directly to Hamas, to long-range missiles that can reach Brussels, and to nuclear scientists,” Safai said. “We are investing in our future murderers, in terrorists who will kill.”

Safai, who was arrested as a student protester in Tehran in 1999 and fled to Belgium in 2000, has been a vocal opponent of the Iranian regime for decades. She views any deal that provides financial relief to Tehran as funding terrorism.

A Deal Critics Call a ‘Jackpot’ for Tehran

Safai’s concerns are echoed by Belgian defense specialist Colonel Roger Housen, who analyzed the leaked draft agreement for HLN and called it “a straight-up jackpot for the military dictatorship in Tehran.” Housen noted that Iran secures the lifting of all unilateral sanctions, access to a $300 billion reconstruction fund, and the release of approximately $100 billion in frozen assets — all while making no binding commitments beyond repeating its longstanding denial of nuclear weapons ambitions.

Housen also highlighted critical gaps in the agreement, including the absence of any provisions addressing Iran’s ballistic missile program or the proposed toll on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz — a measure that could generate over $7 billion annually for Tehran at the expense of European and Asian consumers.

A Protest at the World Cup

Safai’s interview coincided with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where she attended the Iran vs. New Zealand match in Los Angeles. She smuggled the historical Persian flag — featuring the lion and sun, banned by the Iranian regime — into the stadium and distributed T-shirts bearing the faces of victims of the January 2026 massacres, in which the regime killed thousands of protesters.

“I have never been pro or anti Trump,” Safai told HLN. “Many people have asked me: ‘Darya, do you think Trump is doing that for your beautiful eyes?’ No, I say. Trump stands up for his own interests, but they happened to coincide with mine.”

Broader Implications

Safai’s criticism reflects a deep divide between those who favor engagement with Iran and those who advocate for regime change. She argues that European leaders — including Germany, France, Italy, and the UK — who support the deal are prioritizing economic stability over human rights and regional security.

“The West should have listened to the people of Iran twenty years ago,” Safai said. “How the situation in the Middle East has evolved was perfectly predictable.”

Her comments come as the Iranian opposition in diaspora watches with dismay, fearing that the deal will strengthen the regime’s regional influence and proxy networks. The agreement also creates potential tensions between the US and European allies, who were reportedly not fully consulted on the terms.

What’s Next

The 14-point agreement initiates a 60-day negotiation period to finalize a comprehensive deal. Key questions remain: Will Iran honor its commitments? Will the Strait of Hormuz fully reopen? And how will the deal affect Iran’s nuclear program, which experts believe retains the knowledge and infrastructure to develop weapons?

For Safai, the stakes could not be higher. “The regime will not respect any agreement,” she warned. “They want only one thing: a victory over the West.”

As the 60-day clock ticks, the world watches whether this deal brings lasting peace or merely a pause in a much longer conflict.