Donald Trump’s top allies have slammed the peace deal with Iran as they break ranks from the US President. The memorandum of understanding has drawn fierce criticism from even MAGA loyalists, particularly over a proposed $300 billion (£225 billion) economic development fund for Iran.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz suggested that Tehran could use the “buckets of cash” to enhance its military capabilities and “become a threat to America”. He said: “My message is: We have defeated their military. Don’t suddenly come in with massive buckets of cash to let them rebuild and become a threat to America.”
Bill Cassidy, a Republican Senator for Louisiana, also voiced his disappointment at the deal, boldly calling it “the worst foreign policy blunder in decades” and saying Ronald Reagan is “rolling over in his grave”.
He wrote on X: “Iran’s nuclear ambitions were not curbed, and they have learned that threatening the Strait of Hormuz works and will undoubtedly leverage it in the future.
“Now, Iran gets to build brand-new infrastructure under this deal. Before the war, the strait was open, Iran was being crushed by sanctions, and 13 service members were still alive.
“Now, 13 Americans are dead, families have paid billions at the pump, sanctions will be lifted, and the bombing has stopped. This is the worst foreign policy blunder in decades.”
An anonymous Republican senator told The Hill there’s a “high level of dismay” in the party, with many believing Iran won’t sign an agreement to end its nuclear programme, which proved a major sticking point in the protracted negotiations.
In response, Mr Trump slammed the “fools” who oppose the peace plan as “either jealous, bad people, or stupid”.
He wrote on Truth Social: “These fools, who think I haven’t been tough enough on Iran, when the Stock Market Just Hit A RECORD HIGH, and Oil prices are ‘tumbling’ down, are either jealous, bad people, or stupid.”
He said: “My message to them would be twofold. Number one: Donald J Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time.
“If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world…
“The problem for Israel is not Donald J Trump, and anybody in Israel who thinks their biggest problem is the president of the United States needs to wake up and smell the reality of the situation that country is in.”
