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The lack of details about the purported agreement to end the war with Iran, touted as a \u201cGreat Deal\u201d by President Donald Trump, has drawn criticism from people on both sides of the political aisle, as the outcome of several critical issues, like Iran\u2019s nuclear program and potential sanctions relief, remained unclear.<\/p>\n
President Donald J. Trump attends the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn at the White House.<\/p>\n
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Earlier on Sunday, Trump announced<\/a> the deal with Iran was \u201cnow complete,\u201d which will result in the Strait of Hormuz reopening immediately as the president declared, \u201cLet the oil flow!\u201d<\/p>\n In a follow-up post, Trump clarified<\/a> that the \u201cGreat Deal\u201d would be signed and Hormuz would reopen on Friday to allow time for \u201cmine removal.\u201d<\/p>\n The statement from the Iranian side<\/a> was more guarded, noting that the country had reached a \u201cmemorandum of understanding\u201d with the U.S. after \u201cmonths of long and difficult negotiations.\u201d<\/p>\n Both Iran’s and Trump\u2019s statements made no mention of some key issues, including the fate of Tehran\u2019s enriched uranium and the issue of sanctions.<\/p>\n What Do We Know About Criticism Of The Iran Deal?<\/p>\n The lack of details about the deal and its announcement on Truth Social prompted a lot of criticism from people on both sides of the political spectrum. Former Obama White House staffer and Pod Save America host, Tommy Vietor, wrote<\/a>: \u201cEnding the war as soon as possible is the best outcome left, but the truth is Trump accomplished none of his goals and lost the war to Iran. Iran\u2019s nuclear program is not eliminated, nor are its ballistic missiles.\u201d Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul tweeted<\/a>: \u201cThe Strait of Hormuz was open before Trump’s war, so he cannot claim its reopening as a war \u2018victory.\u2019 Illogical.\u201d Right-wing commentator and Fox News host Mark Levin, who backed Trump\u2019s decision to go to war, also called out the lack of details, saying<\/a>: \u201cI have asked for days, why can’t we, the people, see the damn MOU? Not through people briefed by an anonymous person. Honestly, I’ve never seen anything like this. If it is a great outcome for peace, then release it.\u201d Mark Dubowitz, the CEO of the hawkish think tank Foundation for Defense of Democracies, wrote on X<\/a>: \u201cThe Islamic Republic is not a problem that can be negotiated away. The only solution is maximum support for the Iranian people. Given the opportunity and assistance they need, they can cripple\u2014and ultimately end\u2014this terrorist regime.\u201d<\/p>\n What Have Lawmakers Said About The Deal?<\/p>\n Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a prominent Iran hawk, wrote on X<\/a> that he was \u201cpleased to hear\u201d that a memorandum of understanding for reopening the Strait of Hormuz has been agreed to. However, the senator added, \u201cI will be watching closely the ensuing negotiations regarding Iran\u2019s nuclear program and other matters. I am somewhat concerned that Iran\u2019s view of the agreement seems different than what the American negotiating team is claiming.\u201d Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., who spearheaded a legislative push to force Trump to end the war, tweeted<\/a>: \u201cThe ceasefire agreement with Iran with the opening of the Strait of Hormuz is welcome news. Democrats should support it\u2026The war was a costly lesson for the US. As expected, Trump failed to bring about regime change. The terms seem no better than what Obama secured under the JCPOA nearly a decade ago.\u201d<\/p>\n further reading<\/p>\n