The announcement of a deal to end hostilities between the US and Iran has provided Donald Trump with a very welcome birthday present – although it’s wrapped in a fair measure of uncertainty.

The US president said in his social media post heralding the agreement that the Strait of Hormuz would be open to commercial shipping and the US would lift its naval blockade.

“Let the oil flow!” Trump exclaimed on Sunday.

He went on to declare that, in contrast with the failures of past US presidents, he secured a “great deal” that would bring “peace and security to the whole region”.

Such hyperbole is nothing new for Trump, of course. His declarations about last year’s agreement ending the Gaza War – “a peace for all eternity” and the “beginning of the age of faith and hope and of God” – were equally sweeping, even as the reality on the ground has fallen far short.

In such high-stakes diplomatic agreements, success or failure usually hinges on the details. And here, the details are scarce.

US Vice-President JD Vance said in a Sunday evening interview with Fox News that Iran never possessing a nuclear weapon was “built into this agreement” and that the US will be able to verify compliance.

Yet questions remain over crucial issues including what the restrictions on enrichment will be and what should happen to the stockpile of highly enriched uranium Iran has now.

Some of this is sure to be worked out in subsequent negotiations and “technical” talks conducted during a 60-day extension of the current ceasefire. But if anything is clear after decades of efforts to cajole and coerce Iran into giving up its nuclear ambitions, it’s that there are no guarantees, no matter what the US believes is secured in this “memorandum of understanding”.

As if to underscore this point, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council released a statement on Sunday saying that “final negotiations will be postponed until after the implementation of the other party’s commitments under the memorandum”.

What those commitments are – and how Iran interprets them – will help determine whether this deal sticks.

Energy market experts warned that moving of oil through the strait is unlikely to immediately return to pre-war levels. Clearing a large backlog of tankers, removing mines and restoring regular oil shipping and production could take weeks.

With several days to go before the official signing, Iran and the US have time to settle key details to ensure the deal’s success – but there’s also time for it to fall apart.

Another wildcard is Israel.

This was always a three-party war, and Trump told the Wall Street Journal on Sunday that he was furious at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for ordering strikes on Lebanon this weekend that he believed might torpedo the almost-completed Iran deal.

RIYADH: President Donald Trump assured that investors entering the US under the newly introduced $5 million “Gold Card” visa program will not be subject to taxes on their foreign assets.

This assurance comes as Trump and his administration seek to attract high-net-worth individuals from around the world by offering a direct pathway to US residency and citizenship.

Addressing Congress on March 4, Trump outlined the program’s structure. “They (investors) won’t have to pay tax from where they came, the money that they’ve made, you wouldn’t want to do that. But they have to pay tax (in the US) and create jobs,” he said.

His remarks came as a reassurance to prospective investors who may have been concerned about the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, which has deterred some wealthy individuals from seeking US residency due to global taxation concerns.

Arab News raised this concern in a previous article following Trump’s announcement of the new initiative.

Now that the president has cleared that doubt and reassured investors that their assets abroad won’t be taxed, Salman Al-Ansari, a geopolitical analyst and former US investor, emphasized that the Gold Card exemption is a game-changer.

“This move certainly removes a significant barrier for Saudi and Gulf investors who were previously wary of US residency due to FATCA’s global tax implications,” he told Arab News in an interview.

Al-Ansari added that this exemption “is a clear indication that his administration is responsive to global investor concerns.”

However, he noted that despite this strong incentive, long-term concerns about possible changes in US tax policy are likely to remain. “Investors in the region understand that tax policies can change with different administrations, so some may still approach with caution, opting for structures that offer flexibility in case future regulations become less favorable,” Al-Ansari added.

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Read: Will Trump strike gold with wealthy Arabs through new residency program?

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The new initiative will replace the existing EB-5 visa program, which was originally designed to grant permanent residency to investors who contributed at least $1 million to a US business that created or sustained at least 10 jobs for American workers.

Trump emphasized to Congress that the initiative would address talent retention by allowing investors to fund and support highly skilled graduates from top US universities, preventing them from being forced to leave the country.

The US faces stiff competition from other nations with established golden visa programs, particularly Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia, which have successfully attracted high-net-worth individuals through similar initiatives.

On whether Saudi investors will become more selective about US investments due to domestic taxation under the Gold Card visa, Al-Ansari noted: “The exemption of foreign assets is a strong incentive, but the fact that income generated within the US is still taxable means that Saudi investors will likely be more strategic in their choices.”

He added: “They may favor sectors that offer higher tax efficiencies, such as real estate, energy, or industries benefiting from tax incentives.”

However, Al-Ansari said that as long as the US provides a stable business environment and competitive opportunities, taxation within the country is a reasonable tradeoff.

“The key factor for Saudi investors will be the ease of doing business and whether the Gold Card visa comes with additional facilitations that make investments more attractive beyond the tax benefits,” he concluded.

By structuring the Gold Card visa to exempt foreign assets from US taxation, Trump’s administration is positioning the program as an attractive alternative to other golden visa schemes worldwide.

Investors from the Gulf, who have already benefited from similar residency programs in their home countries, may now see the US as an increasingly viable destination for expanding their businesses and securing long-term financial stability.

As highlighted in a previous report by Arab News, the initiative is being closely watched due to its potential to attract substantial foreign capital, especially from countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.

Despite global competition from established golden visa programs, the US remains an appealing destination for investors, due to its business environment, talent pool, and real estate opportunities.

With the added benefit of no taxation on foreign assets, the Gold Card program is seen as a highly attractive option for investors looking to expand their businesses and secure long-term financial stability in the US.

Dayna Ferdinadni, from Dystonia UK, said the study showed promise but more checks were needed.

“The drug has not yet been approved by NICE [National Institute for Health and Care Excellence] or the NHS for use in treating dystonia and further rigorous evaluation is needed to assess its safety, efficacy, and long-term impact,” she said.

“We welcome any research into dystonia, but it is crucial that new treatments undergo thorough scrutiny before being considered for widespread use.”

Jemma Haines from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists said: “Dr Simonyan’s work gives promising data for an effective alternative treatment option and future hope to our service users who suffer this debilitating communication disorder.”

The causes of LD are not yet fully understood, the charity says, but vocal exercises and relaxation can help.

Symptoms often appear in midlife.

Kennedy, 70, says he had “a very strong voice” before developing LD, at 42.

He recently had “novel surgery” on his larynx (voice box), in Japan, which helped his voice, he says.