GOP senators criticize Trump agreement to end fighting in Iran
Republican leaders on Capitol Hill on Thursday voiced sharp reservations about a memorandum of understanding signed by President Donald Trump that starts a 60-day negotiating clock to reach a final deal on Iran’s nuclear future, with several senators criticizing provisions they say lift economic pressure on Tehran.
Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the $300 billion fund for reconstruction and economic development in Iran “— though not funded by U.S. taxpayers — would make Iran’s payoff under President Obama’s 2015 deal look like a pittance by comparison,” and urged continued pressure on Iran, according to his statement.
Other Republicans echoed concerns. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said giving “billions of dollars to the theocratic lunatics who want to kill you is an exceptionally bad idea.” President Trump called his critics “fools” on Truth Social and said reports that the U.S. would pay $300 billion to Iran were “fake news,” while the interim pact itself promises a $300 billion fund for postwar reconstruction and leaves unclear where the money will come from, Trump and Wicker noted.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., sought clarity on how financial incentives and restrictions on funding terrorism would be enforced, with Rounds saying, “right now, a lot of money’s going to go to Iran.” Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., pointed to a provision he said “lays out a key commitment that strengthens regional security and ensures that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon,” in a social media post. Republican Senate candidate John Fleming of Louisiana said Trump appeared to reserve the right to use force if Iran failed to live up to the agreement.
Conservative commentators and former officials also criticized the pact. Radio host Mark Levin suggested delaying an agreement until after the midterm elections, while social media influencer Laura Loomer asked, “Who is giving the President tainted, pro-Islamic intel?” Former Vice President Mike Pence said the deal “does smack of the kind of appeasement” and added, “Bottom line. I don’t trust the Iranians,” in statements reported by news outlets.
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