US lawmakers in Washington are furious over the lack of detail on a new interim agreement with Iran, and are preparing to use what appears to be their last chance to block President Donald Trump’s move. Under the 2015 Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, the administration must submit any deal to Congress before sanctions relief can take effect, giving lawmakers a chance to try to stop parts of the agreement.
Senator Lindsey Graham has said in recent days that any deal with Iran will necessarily come before Congress, which has the exclusive power to approve or reject international agreements. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer sharply criticized the secrecy, saying, "We were told dozens of times the war was over, and dozens of times we were disappointed." He called for an immediate classified briefing and added, "It has been two days since Trump said he reached an 'understanding' with Iran, and he still has not released details... what is it really?"
The criticism is not limited to Democrats. Senate Republican leader John Thune said colleagues are pressing to see the memorandum of understanding and admitted, "We are trying to figure it out." He added, "Since I have been in this role, we have not had this problem." Republican Senator Thom Tillis also complained, saying, "If this is a secret deal, how can I take it seriously?"
Trump, who is attending the G7 summit in France, said he had not originally planned to send the memorandum to Congress, but later changed his mind and said, "I like the idea." He said he wants to wait until the formal signing ceremony scheduled for Friday, and he still insists that Iran must fully abandon its nuclear weapons program.
