Top Republican Slams Trump Iran Agreement: $300 Billion Makes Obama Deal ‘Look Like a Pittance’

LEFT: Roger Wicker (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images) RIGHT: Donald Trump (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) blasted the memorandum of understanding President Donald Trump has struck with the Iranian regime in a scathing statement issued on Thursday.

“Since day one, I have supported President Trump’s efforts to end Iran’s 47-year threat to the United States and our partners. I am concerned that the memorandum of understanding negotiates away the victories of Operation Epic Fury in ways that are completely out of step with the President’s goals,” began Wicker, who continued:

Specifically, the $300 billion fund for the reconstruction and economic development of Iran – though not funded by U.S. taxpayers – would make Iran’s payoff under President Obama’s 2015 deal look like a pittance by comparison. I believe it would be an error to force Israel to stand down against Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed terrorist organization that continues to attack Israel on its northern border. I also oppose the U.S. lifting any sanctions on Iran, or unfreezing Iranian funds, in exchange for Iran’s mere agreement to negotiate for another 60 days. The Iranian regime has not renounced its ultimate goal — “Death to America, Death to Israel.” The regime will invest every penny it receives to further that aim.

President Trump has pursued peace through strength. I hope the intermediaries working on this deal are not undermining that objective.

The deal has faced criticism from a wide range of elected Republicans and other prominent conservatives, including Trump ally and Fox News host Mark Levin, who offered a point-by-point takedown of the deal on Wednesday.

“Iran’s pattern of conduct over the last 47-years makes clear that it uses negotiations as a tactic to further its aims. Yet, we abandoned the military destruction of Iran and did not use all of our capabilities to destroy the regime, including not arming the Iranian people due, in part to polling and gas prices,” argued Levin. “DURING THE NEXT 60-DAYS THIS MOU REQUIRES SERIOUS CHANGES IF NOT OUTRIGHT ABANDONMENT.”

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