Trump Ally Voices Skepticism, Sets Condition on Iran Deal: 'I Expect That Process'

Photo: Reuters

Trump ally voices skepticism, sets condition on Iran deal: 'I expect that process'

By Eliyahu Amar, 9 minutes ago

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, one of President Donald Trump's closest allies, responded cautiously and skeptically to Trump's announcement regarding Iran. Graham made clear that he hopes any agreement reached will be fundamentally different from the JCPOA, the 2015 nuclear deal. He also stressed that any future agreement with Iran must be brought before the U.S. Congress for review and approval.

Following U.S. President Donald Trump's dramatic announcement about reaching near-final understandings on a deal with Iran, the Republican senator, who is very close to the president, issued a statement this evening, Thursday, that conveyed caution alongside a demand for close oversight of any possible agreement with Tehran.

Senator Lindsey Graham | Photo: Shutterstock

"I hope we have indeed arrived at a diplomatic solution that will end the conflict with Iran and meet President Trump's red lines," Graham wrote. However, he stressed that any future arrangement must be "fundamentally different" from the JCPOA, the nuclear agreement signed in 2015 between Iran and the powers, a deal that over the years drew harsh criticism from Trump and many senior Republican Party figures.

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In his remarks, Graham also noted that any agreement related to Iran's nuclear program should be presented to Congress for review and approval. "As in the past, any agreement reached with Iran regarding its nuclear program will be presented to Congress for review and approval. I expect that process," he wrote.

Iran, Donald Trump, agreement, Lindsey Graham