Trump Claims 'Great Settlement' With Iran as US Prepares to Deport Iranian Asylum Seekers to Central African Republic

In a sudden and dual-pronged shift in US policy toward Tehran, President Donald Trump announced that a "great settlement" has been reached to end the three-month war with Iran, abruptly canceling a wave of imminent military strikes.[1][5]

Yet, even as the White House touted a historic diplomatic breakthrough, simultaneous reports revealed a hardline domestic maneuver: the Trump administration is preparing to deport Iranian asylum seekers to the Central African Republic (CAR) under a newly established third-country agreement.[2][4]

The juxtaposition of ending a foreign conflict while expelling dissidents to a volatile African nation highlights the complex, multi-front nature of Washington's current Iran strategy. The developments carry massive implications for global energy markets, Middle Eastern security, and international asylum law.[1][4]

The diplomatic pivot occurred rapidly. On Wednesday, Trump had threatened to launch "very hard" strikes against Iran, specifically targeting Kharg Island—a vital Iranian oil and gas infrastructure hub—and assuming control of the country's oil markets.[1][6]

By Thursday, those strikes were called off. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump claimed that discussions had been brought to the highest levels of Iranian leadership and approved. He stated that the documents were subject to finalization but expected a signing ceremony in Europe within days.[1][5]

The proposed settlement reportedly includes the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iran's ports. Trump asserted the deal would ensure Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon, though the initial memorandum of understanding is expected to only "conceptually" address Tehran's highly enriched uranium stockpiles.[5][6]

However, the reality on the ground remains contested. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei quickly pushed back, stating that while a large portion of the text is finalized, Tehran has not reached a final conclusion. He accused the US of repeatedly changing its positions and insisted Iran would not compromise on its red lines.[1][5]

The diplomatic ambiguity is underscored by recent violence; just hours before the announcement, US and Iranian forces exchanged strikes, with Iran launching missiles at bases housing US troops in Kuwait and Bahrain in retaliation for American attacks.[6][7]

Meanwhile, a different facet of the US-Iran dynamic is unfolding on American soil. The Department of Homeland Security is readying its first deportation flight to the Central African Republic, a deal reportedly finalized during a US delegation visit to Bangui in May.[2][4]

The flight is expected to carry roughly 20 migrants who cannot be legally repatriated to their home countries, including individuals from Syria, Afghanistan, Turkey, and Iran.[2][4]

Among the deportees are two Iranian women who arrived in the US in November 2024. According to their legal counsel, one is a Christian convert and the other a pro-democracy activist. Both had successfully secured "withholding of removal" status from a US immigration judge.[2][4]

This specific legal protection is granted when a judge determines there is a greater than 50 percent chance the individual will face torture or severe persecution if returned to their native country. Because US law prohibits sending them back to Iran, the administration is utilizing the CAR agreement to remove them from American territory entirely.[4]

Immigration advocates have raised severe alarms about the destination. The Central African Republic is a chronically unstable nation that has endured decades of political violence, armed insurgencies, and extreme poverty. Its government currently relies heavily on Russian security contractors to maintain authority.[2][4]

The Trump administration has increasingly leaned on these opaque third-country deportation frameworks—including a previous arrangement with the Democratic Republic of the Congo—defending them as a lawful mechanism to enforce immigration removals when direct repatriation is impossible.[2][4]

Back in the Middle East, regional allies are navigating the sudden whiplash. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reportedly caught off guard by the settlement announcement. While clarifying that Israel is not a party to the US-Iran memorandum, Netanyahu expressed support for the broader goal of nuclear containment.[5][7]

As the weekend approaches, the international community faces two looming deadlines: the potential signing of a landmark peace accord in Europe, and the departure of a highly controversial deportation flight to Bangui. Both will test the legal and diplomatic boundaries of the administration's foreign policy.[1][4]