GOP Senators Slam Trump Iran Deal as 'Blunder'
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- Senate Republicans are publicly opposing Trump's deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for lifting sanctions on Iran, with Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) calling it the "worst foreign policy blunder in decades" and saying "Ronald Reagan is rolling over in his grave."
- The 100-plus-day conflict cost 13 American service members their lives, left 365 wounded or injured, and cost more than $100 billion, according to senators reviewing the deal's terms.
- The agreement immediately lifts sanctions on Iranian oil exports and may unfreeze Iranian assets worldwide, while leaving Iran's nuclear enrichment, missile program, and funding of militant proxies entirely unrestricted, GOP critics warned.
- A classified CIA assessment reported by The Washington Post estimated Iran retains 70% of its prewar missile stockpile and 75% of its mobile missile launchers despite weeks of US and Israeli bombardment.
- The deal only guarantees no Strait of Hormuz tolls for 60 days, after which Iran will negotiate with the Sultanate of Oman on future administration and maritime services—meaning Iran could reimpose levies shortly after.
- Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said "giving billions of dollars to theocratic lunatics who want to murder us is not a good idea," and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) warned the deal "gives them a lot of money they can use to fund their proxies."
- Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), a Trump ally, defended the deal on the Senate floor, arguing US consumers will see lower fuel and fertilizer prices and that the agreement could prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Why it matters: Senate GOP opposition threatens the political durability of a deal Trump personally negotiated, even as its 60-day Strait guarantee expires and Iran retains 70% of its prewar missile stockpile plus unrestricted nuclear enrichment. The backlash also splits the Republican Party on a signature Trump foreign policy achievement, potentially complicating implementation just as Tehran is set to re-enter negotiations with Oman.
