GOP Senators Rebuke Trump Iran Deal Over $300 Billion Fund as Support Erodes
Updated
Updated · CNN · Jun 18
GOP Senators Rebuke Trump Iran Deal Over $300 Billion Fund as Support Erodes
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Jun 18
Summary
$300 billion in proposed Iran reconstruction funding became the focal point of a widening Republican backlash, with senators warning the agreement could leave Iran stronger and the U.S. weaker.
Roger Wicker, Ted Cruz and Lisa Murkowski were among Republicans criticizing sanctions relief, frozen-asset releases and incentives they said were out of step with the goals of Operation Epic Fury.
John Thune called the pact a first step and said incentives must hinge on Iran's nuclear performance, while many lawmakers said they still lacked a full briefing and had only broad outlines.
JD Vance dismissed the blowback and defended Trump's handling, but the White House's delayed text release and limited public advocacy from Iran hawk Marco Rubio deepened GOP unease.
The resistance is a warning for Trump that any final Iran deal may struggle to survive a vote even in a GOP-led Congress, complicating a summer war-funding fight before the midterms.