Lawmakers split on Trump Iran deal over enforcement and billions for Tehran
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Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are divided over President Donald Trump’s Iran peace deal; some worry that the agreement requires little implementation; Some praise the deal as progress toward preventing a nuclear-armed Iran, while others warn it could give Tehran billions of dollars and inadequate security.
Sen. Thomas Tuberville (R-Ala) told Fox News Digital that he believes the agreement has shown progress since the start of the war, particularly on banning Iran’s nuclear program.
“They could never have nuclear weapons, and we don’t have troops on the ground, and we’ve made a lot of progress,” Tuberville said.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED THE GENERAL CONDITIONS OF THE PROPOSED IRAN DEAL
Senator Tommy Tuberville speaks to reporters as he returns to his office at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 10, 2026. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
But many are skeptical about whether the deal is tough enough to ensure that Iran’s nuclear program is largely destroyed during the 60-day negotiation period. It is postponing nuclear talks and lacks the authority to completely ban Iran from refusing to comply with the agreement framework.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., shared that exact concern with Fox News Digital, and also shared the deal’s potential for $300 billion in economic reconstruction to be used to finance terrorist groups.
“I am deeply concerned about providing Iran with the benefit of hundreds of billions of dollars that could be spent on Hezbollah and other malevolent proxies while rebuilding its nuclear program,” Blumenthal said. “And the lack of any auditing or verification.”
He continued: “I am deeply concerned that this agreement means unconditional surrender for the United States, not for Iran.”
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Senator Richard Blumenthal speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 31, 2023. (Meryem Zuhaib/AP)
The agreement signed on Thursday will also provide for the immediate lifting of sanctions and access to frozen Iranian funds.
Sen. John Hoeven (R.N.D.) said he believes the agreement framework can position the United States to succeed, provided negotiations with Iran are properly implemented.
“I said from the beginning that the key would be enforcement,” Hoeven said. “So as we continue this negotiation, the question will be how do we implement this?”
He called on American allies to take responsibility for helping with sanctions during the 60-day period.
“I think some of our allies need to step forward and join us,” Hoeven said.
“They have a big dog in this fight, so they need to join us because I believe this enforcement mechanism will be key to achieving the outcome we want,” he said.
WHAT ISRAEL WANTS FROM THE IRAN PEACE AGREEMENT: NO ENRICHMENT, MISSILE LIMITATION AND STRICT PRACTICES
Senator John Hoeven (RD) speaks on Capitol Hill on May 4, 2022 in Washington. As Hoeven runs for a third Senate term from North Dakota on Nov. 8, he faces a defector from his own party and an underfunded Democrat. (Mariam Zuhaib/AP Photo)
Many senators declined to comment on their views on the agreement, claiming they had not read the memorandum of understanding (MOU).
““I’m going to disappoint you,” said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. “I’m almost halfway through reading the actual MOU and I want to read it a few times to try to digest it.”“
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Many Democrats argue that the current agreement looks worse and less effective than the Obama-era Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Trump withdrew this nuclear agreement in 2015 during his first term.
““I think it looks worse than the Obama deal right now,” Blumenthal said, adding, “More money going to Iran, sanctions being lifted, no verification.”
