Democrats and Republicans Criticize Trump’s Iran Peace Deal Efforts
11 reported
According to a report from Reason, President Donald Trump faces criticism from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers over his efforts to negotiate a peace deal with Iran. Some Democrats who previously criticized Trump for starting the war with Iran are now criticizing him for trying to end it, while Republican hawks oppose a deal because they prefer continued conflict. The criticism appears to have influenced Trump, who sent back a memorandum of understanding to Iran with new “tougher terms” after initially saying the agreement was “largely negotiated.” Both sides agree on the basic shape of a potential deal: lifting mutual blockades of the Strait of Hormuz and negotiating a permanent agreement involving Iran’s nuclear program and U.S. economic sanctions. However, trust remains a major issue, and violent incidents continue, including the U.S. military blowing a hole in an Iranian oil tanker and Iran bombing Kuwait and Bahrain. Some dovish Democrats, such as Sen. Chris Murphy and Sen. Chris Van Hollen, have argued that the deal would essentially return to the prewar status quo.
What’s reported
Sen. Cory Booker (D–N.J.) told Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the Iranian government is “getting money to rebuild, purchase more drones, cause more havoc” through the ceasefire and proposed peace deal.
Sen. John Fetterman (D–Pa.) accused Trump of trying to “cave [to Iran] just for political convenience” in an interview with Jewish Insider.
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Trump of following the Obama administration and demanded Trump “take out enough Iranian capability so it cannot threaten our allies in the region.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R–S.C.) implied the deal would be a “nightmare for Israel.”
Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker (R–Miss.) warned the truce wouldn’t let Trump “finish the job he started.”
Trump said on May 23 that the peace agreement was “largely negotiated,” but after criticism, he sent back the memorandum of understanding with new “tougher terms.”
Both sides agree on lifting mutual blockades of the Strait of Hormuz and negotiating a permanent deal on Iran’s nuclear program and U.S. sanctions.
On Monday, Trump announced a ceasefire in Lebanon, but fighting continues near the border.
On Tuesday, the U.S. military blew a hole in an Iranian oil tanker, and Iran bombed Kuwait and Bahrain.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D–Conn.) said the war was unnecessary to reach a diplomatic agreement and criticized the administration for jeopardizing a quick end by trying to get too much up front.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D–Md.) called the war a “blunder” and said the deal would take the U.S. back to the prewar status quo.
Key figures
President Donald Trump
Sen. Cory Booker (D–N.J.)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Sen. John Fetterman (D–Pa.)
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R–S.C.)
Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker (R–Miss.)
Sen. Chris Murphy (D–Conn.)
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D–Md.)
Sources: reason.com
