Key facts
- Rep. Nancy Pelosi stated President Trump's Iran deal was a mistake costing over $100 billion and 13 lives.
- Pelosi described the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding as a "gift to the Iranians."
- The Obama administration's Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was praised by Pelosi.
- A preliminary MOU to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for lifting sanctions took effect Wednesday.
- Senators Bill Cassidy and Ted Cruz criticized the deal, citing concerns over financial aid to Iran.
- Vice President Vance defended the deal, highlighting Trump's efforts to transform U.S.-Iran relations.
Representative Nancy Pelosi on Thursday criticized President Trump's Iran deal, labeling it a "mistake" that cost Americans dearly and calling the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) a "real gift to the Iranians."
Pelosi, speaking at the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center, stated that the current administration's decision to withdraw from the previous agreement and pursue this new MOU resulted in over $100 billion in costs, 13 lives lost, and increased prices at the pump for average Americans.
She lauded the Obama administration's Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as a "masterful performance of diplomacy and security." The preliminary MOU, which aims to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for lifting sanctions on Iran, reportedly took immediate effect on Wednesday, according to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a key mediator.
However, Trump's MOU faces significant criticism from some Republicans. Senator Bill Cassidy called it the "worst foreign policy blunder in decades," while Senator Ted Cruz expressed concern about providing billions to Iran, suggesting the president was receiving poor advice.
Vice President Vance defended the deal during a White House press briefing, dismissing criticism as "preposterous" and asserting that Trump has shown courage in transforming U.S. relations with Iran. Vance is expected to lead negotiations on Iran's nuclear program.