Hours before the expected signing in Switzerland of a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, criticism of the arrangement is widening inside Donald Trump’s own Republican Party. The objections surfaced just two days after details of the U.S.-Iran framework became public, and several senior Republicans now say the deal strengthens Tehran, eases pressure on it economically, and gives it sweeping benefits.
Among the most vocal critics are Senators Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, John Cornyn of Texas, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Ted Cruz of Texas and Joni Ernst of Iowa. Cassidy said, “Iran remains stronger, and we remain weaker.” Cornyn said, “Everything I have heard so far worries me.” Murkowski argued it is hard to say the deal leaves Iran worse off and the U.S. better off. Wicker, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the memorandum gives up gains from the military operation and is inconsistent with Trump’s goals. He also attacked a planned compensation fund, reportedly worth $300 billion, saying it makes Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal benefits look tiny by comparison. Cruz called sending money to Iran a “very bad idea,” warning the funds would be used to kill Americans. Ernst said she wanted to understand where the money would come from and whether taxpayers would end up paying.
Trump allies are also doubting whether a final agreement can be reached at all, with one unnamed Republican senator describing a “high level of despair” in the party. Senate Republican leader John Thune initially said he was still processing the details, then called it a “step in the right direction,” while stressing that any economic incentives must depend on Iran’s behavior, especially on nuclear issues. The White House held a first classified briefing for senior lawmakers, and AP reported that Steve Witkoff said Iran would let International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors return to nuclear sites and track enriched uranium.
Vice President J.D. Vance has emerged as the administration’s main defender of the deal, urging Republicans to “trust the president” and dismissing claims of mixed messaging from the White House. But resistance is not limited to Republicans in Congress. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer mocked Trump for wanting to “send $300 billion to Iran,” and Trump responded on Truth Social that critics who think he was not tough enough are “either fanatics, or bad people, or stupid.”
