Trump's Interim US-Iran Deal Draws Republican Criticism

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an interim agreement with Iran, but immediately faced opposition from lawmakers within his own Republican Party. Critics argue the deal wastes billions in taxpayer dollars and does not genuinely prevent Tehran's nuclear aspirations.

According to the 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed Wednesday, the U.S. and Iran commit to "an immediate and permanent cessation of military activities on all fronts," including in Lebanon. Tehran agrees to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, closed since late February, while Washington pledges "to develop a mutually agreed final plan" to provide $300 billion for Iran's reconstruction and development. The deal also includes Iran's commitment not to "acquire or develop nuclear weapons."

Senator Bill Cassidy (Louisiana), a rare GOP critic of Trump who recently lost his primary bid for a third term, called the memorandum "the worst foreign-policy mistake in decades." "Reagan is turning in his grave," Cassidy wrote on X, referencing former President Ronald Reagan, a conservative icon. He said: "Iran's nuclear ambitions are unchecked, and they've learned that threatening the Strait of Hormuz works, and will certainly exploit that in the future. Now Iran can build brand-new infrastructure under this deal."

Senator Thomas Massie (Kentucky), who lost his primary to a Trump-backed challenger, criticized the $300 billion aid package, noting it is five times the U.S. Congress's annual spending on roads and bridges. Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley also questioned Washington's commitment to help rebuild Iran. "This regime chants 'Death to America,' kills our soldiers, and tries to assassinate Americans on U.S. soil," Haley wrote. "They believe it is their duty to destroy us. Now we unlock billions of dollars and lift sanctions, with a promise of even more money to come."

Trump's plan is being compared unfavorably to former President Obama's 2015 nuclear deal—a more detailed agreement that Trump himself withdrew from in 2018, citing its enrichment of Iran's regime and enabling of its malign behavior. Former Vice President Mike Pence called the U.S.-Iran memorandum "a concession reminiscent of the Obama-Iran nuclear deal our administration rejected." Pence argued the U.S. should pursue an agreement forcing Iran to "dismantle its nuclear program, dismantle its missile program, end support for terrorist proxy groups, and open the strait." He warned: "Otherwise, we should let the Armed Forces finish the job their way."

Senator Ted Cruz (Texas) defended the memorandum against comparisons to the Obama deal but expressed concerns about providing funds to Iran. "I urge the president not to surrender victory; we have destroyed their military, and we should not finance its reconstruction," Cruz wrote on X.