Ben Shapiro: U.S. nuclear deal draft is a total surrender to Iran

Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro sharply criticized the emerging nuclear understanding with Iran, saying it amounts to a complete capitulation that abandons the red lines the U.S. set at the start of the talks. He made the remarks on Fox News and argued that, from the text alone, the memorandum looks like a disaster that fails to achieve any of Washington’s core goals.

Shapiro said the administration originally defined five strategic objectives, but all of them had failed badly. He said the first goal, zero enrichment in Iran’s nuclear program, had disappeared entirely from the deal. Instead of stopping ballistic missiles, he said the draft suggests Iran may even be allowed to keep them as a regional counterweight.

He also criticized the absence of any mention of Iran’s support for terrorism, saying that issue is not included at all in the emerging agreement. On freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, he said the deal does not guarantee unlimited passage, and instead allows Iran and Oman to examine the possibility of collecting transit fees after 60 days.

Shapiro added that Iran is already benefiting from sanctions relief and expanded oil exports, noting a market price of about $75.94 per barrel that is strengthening Tehran economically. He directly blamed the vice president, who led the negotiating team, saying she did not serve the president well. In his view, poor management of the talks produced a weak document that gives Iran major gains without meaningful concessions, even as reports say the negotiations are advancing.