UMVA has learned that a bipartisan group of lawmakers is voicing strong skepticism about the newly signed Iran peace deal, arguing that the agreement leaves Iran in a stronger position while questioning whether the United States secured enough in return.
The criticism is being led by prominent lawmakers, including Sen. Ted Cruz, who offered some of the sharpest criticism, arguing that the deal rewards "theocratic lunatics" of a hostile regime. "Giving billions of dollars to theocratic lunatics who want to murder us is not a good idea," Cruz said.
Other Republicans are also speaking out, with several storming off when confronted about the new terms. The deal provides immediate sanctions relief, including waivers on Iranian oil exports and access to frozen funds, while establishing a framework for more than $300 billion in reconstruction and economic development.
Democrats are being even more brazen in their criticism of the Republican president, with Sen. Adam Schiff saying, "Iran is now going to be able to export their oil and gas, rake in billions more. It's going to get access to its frozen assets. And what is Iran giving up for this? Nothing."
Several lawmakers are questioning whether the agreement secures meaningful concessions on Iran's nuclear program, the issue that drove the conflict in the first place. Sen. Dick Durbin said, "I think when it comes to the development of nuclear weapons, the language is the same. We went to war for what?"
The criticism is not limited to Democrats, with Sen. Elizabeth Warren saying, "Look, everything about this says that Iran is better off now than it was before this war started." Other lawmakers are questioning whether the agreement could credibly be viewed as a win for the U.S. after months of war.
Not every lawmaker opposed the agreement, with Sen. Rand Paul sharing a brief but supportive stance, saying: "Peace is better than war." Several lawmakers also compared the agreement to the Obama-era Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the 2015 nuclear deal that Trump withdrew from during his first term.
Sen. Tim Kaine said, "The public reporting to me suggests we're giving up an awful lot more to get a lot less than the JCPOA." Warren argued that the outcome of the conflict had effectively brought the administration back to a deal similar to the one Trump once rejected.
Warren asked, "Remember this whole nuclear deal now? No better than what we had back in 2015, back when Barack Obama cut the deal. And that's where Donald Trump winds us up after all of this?" She continued, "What an embarrassment."
