Key facts
- Democratic lawmakers are criticizing a potential U.S.-Iran agreement before its finalization.
- Sen. Jack Reed argued the proposed deal offers less than the Obama-era JCPOA.
- Rep. Seth Moulton called the reported terms a "surrender document" and questioned the war's costs.
- House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries described the conflict as "reckless" and a "disaster."
- An Iranian official stated the deal would not be signed Sunday but could be in the coming days.
Democratic lawmakers have voiced significant criticism of a potential agreement between the U.S. and Iran, even before its finalization. Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, stated on "Fox News Sunday" that the proposed deal would provide less for the U.S. than the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) negotiated under the Obama administration.
Reed criticized the cost of the conflict, noting billions of dollars spent, 14 American lives lost, and disruptions to the global economy, suggesting the current deal would yield less than the JCPOA, from which President Trump withdrew.
Representative Seth Moulton, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, described the reported terms as a "surrender document" from Trump to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. He questioned the value of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which he argued was already open before the conflict began.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the war "reckless" and a "disaster," and criticized Trump's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, asserting that Iran is stronger and Americans are less safe under his leadership.
Jaime Harrison, former chair of the Democratic National Committee, commented that the Democratic response was expected, given their opposition to U.S. engagement in Iran. He noted the frustration among Democrats and the limited appetite for prolonged engagement in the region.
An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson indicated that the deal would not be signed on Sunday, contradicting Trump's earlier statements, and suggested caution due to "inconsistency" from the U.S. side. The terms reportedly include the release of $25 billion in frozen Iranian assets and Iran's agreement not to produce or acquire nuclear weapons.