Topline
The U.S. deal to end the war in Iran was widely panned across the political spectrum in the wake of reports suggesting it heavily favors Iran and leaves the regime better off than it was before the war.
Key Facts
New York Times neoconservative columnist Bret Stephens, who supported the war initially, wrote that the “hard men of Tehran appear to have scored a decisive victory over the vain man of Washington,” accusing Trump of betraying Israel, the Iranian people and Americans who supported the war, and calling the deal “a debacle.”
Trump ally Steve Bannon tweeted “the $300 Billion Fund for Iran’s Reconstruction Should Come to the United States First Until America is Made Whole for ALL Costs Associated with This War INCLUDING A SIGNIFICANT BONUS FOR ALL OF OUR TROOPS,” referring to the private fund that has already committed half that amount to trigger investments in Iran, not rebuild what has been destroyed in the war as Bannon stated, Reuters reported.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said on his podcast Wednesday that it’s an “incredibly foolish idea” and “utterly indefensible” to give Iran access to $300 billion.
Former Vice President Mike Pence expressed support for the war initially in an interview with CNN on Tuesday, but said the deal is “much bigger than a mistake,” adding that he’s particularly concerned about “these immediate concessions, particularly sanctions wavered right out of the gate.”
Conservative radio host Erick Erickson reposted a video compilation of Trump bashing the Obama-era Iran deal in multiple instances: “I would have never given them back the money, I would have said, the money is off the table . . . I would have won that negotiation,” Trump told an audience in Iowa in November.
Former Obama administration spokesperson and Pod Save America co-host Tommy Vietor said the outcome has left Israel “completely isolated and dependent on Trump’s mood on any given day,” as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel is not involved in the deal and has made clear he’s disappointed with the outcome, particularly the requirement to end Israel’s attacks on Lebanon.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., told reporters Tuesday, reports about the deal suggest “that its is a pretty simple transaction: we are paying Iran billions to reopen the Strait. Period.”
What To Watch For
Trump has left open the possibility the agreement could fall apart amid the backlash, telling reporters Wednesday on the sidelines of the G7 conference, “you never know with deals, but you’re going to find out pretty soon . . . I think it’ll be done, they want to sign.”
tangent
Pope Leo XIV praised the agreement as “an encouraging result of patient work in dialogue and negotiation” in a post on X, adding that he hopes it “may help strengthen mutual trust, security, and stability in the Middle East, promoting paths of dialogue and cooperation among peoples.”
News Peg
The so-called memorandum of understanding, which remains secret and is expected to be formally signed on Friday, would end all military hostilities in the Gulf region stemming from the Feb. 28 U.S. attacks on Iran, according to multiple reports. The U.S. would lift its naval blockade on Iran within 30 days and withdraw its forces from Iran and the surrounding area, according to Bloomberg, citing text of the agreement it obtained. The U.S. Treasury Department would issue immediate waivers on exports of Iranian oil, pending the lifting of sanctions and unfreezing of Iranian assets in foreign accounts, Bloomberg reported. Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days, though it has indicated it could still charge ships for safe passage (something it did not do before the war). Negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program would also reportedly be deferred, with a 60-day deadline to reach an agreement after the signing of the initial deal. Iran will also tap into a $300 billion private fund to spur investments in its economy, half of which has already been committed, according to multiple reports.
further reading
Trump Says He’ll Go Back To ‘Dropping Bombs’ If He Doesn’t Like Iran Deal—After Saying Agreement Was ‘Complete’ (Forbes)
Iran Buys 20 Russian Helicopters After U.S. Peace Deal (Forbes)
Trump Says Iran Peace Deal ‘Complete’—Ends Strait Of Hormuz Blockade (Forbes)