Republicans Blast Trump’s 60-Day Iran Deal as $300 Billion Fund and Sanctions Relief Draw Fire
Updated
Updated · Detroit News · Jun 18
Republicans Blast Trump’s 60-Day Iran Deal as $300 Billion Fund and Sanctions Relief Draw Fire
3 articles · Updated · Detroit News · Jun 18
Summary
Copies of the signed U.S.-Iran memorandum reached Capitol Hill on Thursday, triggering unusually sharp Republican criticism of Trump’s interim war-ending deal before lawmakers received any formal briefing.
The backlash centers on reported terms including sanctions easing, release of frozen Iranian assets and a $300 billion private wealth fund, while Iran reportedly offers only another 60 days of talks and a pledge not to build a nuclear weapon.
Bill Cassidy called the pact the worst foreign-policy blunder in decades, citing 13 American deaths and billions in higher fuel costs, while Roger Wicker warned it could trade away U.S. military gains and constrain Israel.
Trump defended the agreement by pointing to a record-high stock market and falling oil prices, arguing the deal reopens the Strait of Hormuz and offers an exit from a conflict that had strained the economy and U.S. forces.
Congress is likely to press for a formal review under the 2015 Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, with lawmakers in both parties demanding more details on the administration’s final negotiating plans.