Victor Davis Hanson challenges media assumptions on the Iran deal

Historian Victor Davis Hanson called out those who criticized the newly signed US-Iran preliminary agreement, claiming that they misinterpreted America’s influence in the negotiations.

Speaking on the “Jesse Watters Primetime” program, Hanson challenged what he called misconceptions about the agreement and said that the military conflict had collapsed Iran’s infrastructure and Tehran had no cards left to play.

“They’ve probably suffered half a trillion dollars in losses from their nuclear military industrial complex that took 50 years to build,” Hanson said in response to “unwise” arguments that Iran is better off now than it was before the conflict.

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The Trump administration’s memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran was released this week, setting out the terms of the agreement both sides reached for a 60-day ceasefire and the framework for negotiations.

The agreement itself has faced criticism from both sides of the political wing; Critics argued that this did not include immediate dismantling of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure or removal of its enriched uranium stockpiles.

Hanson also pushed back against critics who say oil is difficult to extract from the region because of Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz.

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“They keep saying, ‘The Bosphorus was open before, now it’s closed, and now we had to negotiate to open it.’ “It was obvious that they just chose not to cause trouble,” he said.

“They chose not to cause trouble because the last seven presidents said: ‘We don’t dare touch you. [going to] Intervene in your nuclear programs.'”

Hanson argued that sanctions against Iran and oil distribution efforts put pressure on the Middle Eastern country and provide an advantage to the United States.

Referring to the burden brought by the sanctions, Hanson said, “They think time is on Iran’s side. Time is not on Iran’s side.”

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President Donald Trump leaves the White House following the Medal of Honor ceremony in the East Room on June 18, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

He claimed that Tehran was concerned about the upcoming midterm elections in America and the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding.

Hanson argued that Trump would be less constrained by election considerations if the conflict moves past the midterms.

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“They’re afraid that if he wins the midterms and the price of gas goes down, he’ll be free, and he already is,” Hanson said.

“They are afraid of Donald Trump” [going to] extend it because if he extends it after the midterm, after the 250th anniversary, [going to] she has a lot more options than she does now when she’s worried about gas and midterms. So the dynamic is completely turned upside down. They are the ones with the time clock.”