conservatives
New York Times neoconservative columnist Bret Stephens, who supported the war initially, wrote that the “hard men of Tehran appear to have scored a decisive victory over the vain man of Washington,” accusing Trump of betraying Israel, the Iranian people and Americans who supported the war, and calling the deal “a debacle.”
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Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said on his podcast Wednesday that it’s an “incredibly foolish idea” and “utterly indefensible” to give Iran $300 billion.
Former Vice President Mike Pence expressed support for the war initially in an interview with CNN on Tuesday, but said the deal is “much bigger than a mistake,” adding that he’s particularly concerned about “these immediate concessions, particularly sanctions wavered right out of the gate.”
Conservative radio host Erick Erickson reposted a video compilation of Trump bashing the Obama-era Iran deal in multiple instances: “I would have never given them back the money, I would have said, the money is off the table . . . I would have won that negotiation,” Trump told an audience in Iowa in November.
democrats
Former Obama administration spokesperson and Pod Save America co-host Tommy Vietor said the outcome has left Israel “completely isolated and dependent on Trump’s mood on any given day,” as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel is not involved in the deal and has made clear he’s disappointed with the outcome, particularly the requirement to end Israel’s attacks on Lebanon.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., told reporters Tuesday, reports about the deal suggest “that its is a pretty simple transaction: we are paying Iran billions to reopen the Strait. Period.”
MAGA
Fox News host Mark Levin, who has defended the Iran war and attacked other conservatives who criticized it, said “I sure as hell hope I am misreading and mishearing things. If there is confusion it is due to the withholding of the MOU and publicly stated comments, not to those of us who can see and hear.”
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Trump ally Steve Bannon said on his podcast “we can’t get in the business of giving these guys all this money and giving them access. We got the sanctions, keep the sanctions on, don’t let them sell any oil, don’t put in $300 billion or let anybody do it . . . I think we’re looking at this cockeyed, we shouldn’t be doing anything for these people.”
Contra
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said he was “pleased” the Strait of Hormuz would open, but said he would “be watching closely the ensuing negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program and other matters,” while putting the onus on Vice President JD Vance to present the nuclear agreement to Congress.
Trump’s Defense
Trump insisted Wednesday on the sidelines of the G7 conference in France the deal “achieves everything we set out to accomplish and much more,” including “preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon—that’s what it was all about, that was about 99%,” he said. Trump said part of the reason he agreed to the deal was because he “didn’t want to see economic catastrophe.”Earlier Wednesday, Trump left open the possibility the agreement could fall apart amid the backlash, telling reporters on the sidelines of the G7 conference, “you never know with deals, but you’re going to find out pretty soon . . . I think it’ll be done, they want to sign.”
Tangent
Pope Leo XIV praised the agreement as “an encouraging result of patient work in dialogue and negotiation,” but stopped short of saying it’s a good deal for either side in a post on X Wednesday.
What To Watch For
The so-called memorandum of understanding, which remains secret and is expected to be formally signed on Friday, would end all military hostilities in the Gulf region stemming from the Feb. 28 U.S. attacks on Iran, according to multiple reports.
further reading
Trump Says He’ll Go Back To ‘Dropping Bombs’ If He Doesn’t Like Iran Deal—After Saying Agreement Was ‘Complete’ (Forbes)
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Iran Buys 20 Russian Helicopters After U.S. Peace Deal (Forbes)
Trump Says Iran Peace Deal ‘Complete’—Ends Strait Of Hormuz Blockade (Forbes)