Ben Shapiro Says Emerging Iran Nuclear Deal Is a Total Capitulation

Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro delivered a harsh critique of the emerging nuclear memorandum in an appearance on Focus News, calling it a “total disaster” that, in his view, abandons the U.S. administration’s original red lines. He said the document fails to achieve any of the five strategic goals Washington initially set for itself and leaves the world exposed to both nuclear and terrorist threats.

Shapiro argued that the agreement drops the goal of zero enrichment entirely and does not stop Iran’s ballistic missile program. Instead, he said, it appears to allow Tehran to keep those missiles as leverage against other countries in the region. He added that the arrangement lets Iran preserve its military and nuclear capabilities at almost no meaningful cost, which he said undermines America’s strategic posture in the Middle East.

He also criticized the deal for omitting any real treatment of Iran’s support for terrorism, saying that issue is not included in the developing agreement at all. On the Strait of Hormuz, he said the text does not guarantee free and unrestricted passage, but instead leaves open the possibility that Iran and Oman could consider charging transit fees after 60 days.

Shapiro said Iran is already benefiting from sanctions relief and expanded oil exports, noting a market price of about $75.94 per barrel that gives Tehran an early economic boost. He blamed the president’s negotiating team for mishandling the talks and said they did not serve the president well, concluding that the document hands Iran major gains without any real return.