Key facts
- Rep. Seth Moulton described the reported US-Iran peace deal as a 'surrender document' from President Trump.
- The deal reportedly includes provisions to halt Iran's nuclear capabilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
- President Trump announced the peace framework was scheduled for signing on Sunday.
- Moulton cited $100 billion in war spending and 14 American deaths as costs associated with the deal.
- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated the signing would not occur on Sunday.
Democratic Representative Seth Moulton of Massachusetts has strongly criticized the reported peace deal between the United States and Iran, describing it as a 'surrender document' from President Donald Trump to Iran's supreme leader. Moulton, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, voiced his concerns, questioning the value of the agreement given the significant financial and human costs of the conflict.
Moulton highlighted that $100 billion in taxpayer money has been spent on the war, resulting in 14 American deaths, and questioned how reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which he stated was already open before the conflict began, constitutes a win. A senior U.S. official had previously stated that the deal includes provisions to halt Iran's nuclear building capabilities and to reopen the critical oil trading waterway.
President Trump announced on Saturday that a peace deal framework was scheduled to be signed on Sunday, after which the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened immediately. Pakistan, which has been mediating the negotiations, indicated that the agreement would be signed electronically, with subsequent technical talks planned for the following week.
Moulton expressed that the outcome is a 'lose, lose, lose across the board for Trump and the United States of America.' He also acknowledged that ending the war and withdrawing from it is the best available option, stating, 'And so that’s why we are still hoping for a deal, even though we have to admit it’s a losing deal for America.' He noted that President Trump has frequently suggested imminent deals with Iran, suggesting the President is eager for an agreement. Moulton believes Iran is content to prolong negotiations, as closing the strait gives them leverage over the global economy.
Conversely, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei offered a different timeline, telling Iran's Tasnim News Agency that the framework deal would not be signed on Sunday. Baghaei stated that while a signing in the coming days is possible, caution is necessary due to 'the other party’s instability.' Senator Adam Schiff also voiced skepticism, writing on X that while he hoped the President was right that the war was over, Trump had made 'a raft of broken promises' and 'has started new wars, but hasn’t reduced costs.'