Republican and Democrat senators react to President Donald Trump’s memorandum of understanding (MOU), with lawmakers from both parties criticizing the agreement and raising concerns about its potential impact.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.
My initial reaction is that this blunder means that there may be changes in the administration. The MOU has so many holes and gaps, it puts Iran in a much stronger position than before this war, and what strikes me is not only the hundreds of billions of dollars that are going to go to Iran that it can use to fund its proxies or its rebuilding of its military, but also the complete lack of any verification or inspection. They're going to rely on the United Nations to do oversight and verification that's worse than no verification at all, and I voted for the JCPOA after struggling with questions involving unfreezing assets, verification resources going to Iran, and Trump seems to just blow right through these issues. I think there has to be a lot of soul searching in this administration. Hegseth should go. This military operation has had some tactical success, but he has over promised and under delivered, and Hegseth ought to go.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.:
"Some of the criticism of the MOU is valid, I think, but here's the way I look at it: Without the MOU being signed, there is no pathway to diplomacy to end the nuclear ambitions of Iran. What does that leave you with? War, continuation of the status quo. So the upside of signing the MOU was greater, I think, than the downside. The deal itself is the big prize. If it's a bad deal, I'll say so in my view. I'm hoping it will be much better than JCPOA , but the real prize is, can you expand Abraham Accords after you deal with Iran the way we have. Oct. 7 was designed to stop normalization between Saudi and Israel, because in the eyes of Iran that was a nightmare."
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C.:
"Now we've got 60 days to see what the details look like, and I'm cautiously optimistic. I'm glad the markets are responding well, but the markets are ultimately going to be responding to the details that we all need to see."
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. :
"Let's give peace a chance. I think that's all the president is saying. I read the document last night, and I've heard all of the speculation, and what about this, and what about that, and what if this happens, one, if that doesn't happen, we'll know in 60 days.
"Let's give us 60 days to give peace a chance, and that's all he's saying."
Fox News' Nicholas Ballasy and Hannah Brennan contributed to this report.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Thursday that while some criticism of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) is “valid,” he believes the agreement creates a needed opening for diplomacy — and potentially a broader path to peace in the Middle East.
“Without the MOU being signed, there is no pathway to diplomacy to end the nuclear ambitions of Iran,” Graham told reporters Thursday morning. “What does that leave you with? War, continuation of the status quo.”
Graham said the “upside” of signing the MOU was greater than the downside, but stressed that the final agreement will be what matters most.
“The deal itself is the big prize," Graham continued. "If it’s a bad deal, I’ll say so."
Graham hopes it will be “much better than JCPOA.”
"The real prize is can you expand Abraham Accords after you deal with Iran the way we have," Graham added. "Oct. 7 was designed to stop normalization between Saudi and Israel, because in the eyes of Iran that was a nightmare.
"So, what I'm looking for, does this create a pathway to peace throughout the region, or is it sort of a tactical setback for Iran? Time will tell, but I'm glad we're on the course on the path to diplomacy."
U.S. Middle East peace envoy Steve Witkoff has Graham's confidence.
“We'll know in the coming weeks what kind of deal we will get,” he concluded. “And I talked to Witkoff, and Steve's been a good friend for a long time. I said pursue a good deal, but be ready to walk away.”
With critics hyperbolizing on the negatives of making peace with Iran – with those same critics rebuking war with Iran, seeming refusing to have it either way – President Donald Trump boldly sent the "you're welcome" message.
Trump declared victory on energy, national security and the economy in a Truth Social post Thursday , saying oil is flowing, Iran “can never have a nuclear weapon,” and U.S. markets are surging.
OIL IS FLOWING, IRAN CAN NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON (THE WORLD WILL BE SAFE!), THE STOCK MARKETS ARE ROARING, JOBS ARE AT RECORDS, AND PRICES ARE DROPPING (AFFORDABILITY!). OUR COUNTRY IS STRONG, SAFE, AND RESPECTED LIKE NEVER BEFORE. “YOU’RE WELCOME!” President DJT
The post comes as Trump and his allies frame the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) as a major de-escalation breakthrough involving military operations, oil exports and nuclear commitments.
Critics of the MOU are rejecting peace as making a deal with the enemy, but Trump is reminding he is a peacemaker.
{{#rendered}}Qatar welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and Iran aimed at addressing outstanding issues between the two countries, including the cessation of military operations and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Qatar considers this a renewed affirmation of the two sides' commitment to resolving their differences through negotiation and peaceful means as well as to enhancing prospects for sustainable peace and economic growth at both the regional and international levels. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates Qatar's full appreciation of the partnership and efforts undertaken by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and all regional and international parties to de-escalate tensions and bridge the gaps in viewpoints, culminating in the signing of this memorandum. The Ministry emphasizes that the MoU represents a solid foundation for moving forward with the next phase of talks between the American and Iranian sides, calling upon all parties to maintain a positive spirit, good offices, and joint coordination to ensure comprehensive and sustainable outcomes.
The full statement issued from Doha on June 18 was posted to X.
"The Ministry emphasizes that the MoU represents a solid foundation for moving forward with the next phase of talks between the American and Iranian sides, calling upon all parties to maintain a positive spirit, good offices, and joint coordination to ensure comprehensive and sustainable outcomes," the statement concluded.
"The Ministry affirms Qatar 's continued full support for all good offices and endeavors aimed at enhancing regional security and stability, and reaching sustainable solutions to outstanding issues through dialogue and peaceful means, in accordance with the principles of international law and good neighborliness, and contributing to opening new horizons for cooperation, development and prosperity, and achieving the common interests of the peoples of the region and the world."
ISLAMABAD MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America have jointly agreed, in good faith, on ………. 2026, at……………… , on the following:
1. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, and their allies in the current war, by signing this MoU, declare the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and undertake from now on not to initiate any war or any military operation against each other, and to refrain from the threat or use of force against each other, and ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon. The final Deal will confirm the permanent termination of the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and other provisions of this paragraph.
2. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America undertake to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs.
3. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America commit to negotiating and achieving the final Deal, in maximum 60 days extendable with mutual consent.
4. Immediately upon the signing of this MoU, the United States of America will begin the removal of its naval blockade and any disturbances or impediments against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will fully end the naval blockade within 30 days. During this period, the traffic of vessels will be in proportion to the numbers of pre-war traffic being restored by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America further undertakes to remove its forces from the proximity of the Islamic Republic of Iran within 30 days after the final Deal.
5. Upon the signing of this MoU, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels, with no charge for 60 days only, from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman, and vice versa. The traffic of commercial vessels will immediately start, and considering the need for removing the technical and military obstacles, and de-mining by the Islamic Republic of Iran, will be instated within 30 days. The Islamic Republic of Iran will conduct dialogue with the Sultanate of Oman, to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz , in discussions with other Persian Gulf Littoral States, in line with applicable international law and the sovereign rights of coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz.
6. The United States of America undertakes, with regional partners, to develop a definitive mutually agreed plan with at least USD 300 Billion, for the reconstruction and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The mechanism for the implementation of this plan will be finalized as part of final Deal within 60 days. All required licenses, waivers and permissions needed for the relevant financial transactions will be granted by the United States of America.
7. The United States of America undertakes to terminate all types of sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the United Nations Security Council resolutions, IAEA Board of Governors resolutions and all unilateral U.S. sanctions, primary and secondary, in an agreed upon schedule as part of the final Deal. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America acknowledge the critical importance of the sanctions termination issues above mentioned and express their intentions to immediately address these issues in the negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on them.
8. The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America have agreed to resolve the disposition of stockpiled enriched material pursuant to a mechanism that will be mutually agreed upon, in accordance with the schedule mentioned in paragraph 7, with the minimum methodology to be down blending on-site, under the supervision of the IAEA. The two Parties also agree to discuss the issue of enrichment, and other mutually agreed matters related to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear needs, based on a satisfactory framework being agreed upon in the final Deal. The final Deal will confirm the provisions of this paragraph. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America acknowledge the critical importance of the nuclear issues above mentioned and express their intentions to immediately address these issues in the negotiations in order to achieve mutual agreement on them.
9. Pending the final Deal, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America agree to maintain the status quo; the Islamic Republic of Iran will maintain the current status quo of its nuclear program, and the United States of America will not impose any new sanctions, and will not deploy additional forces in the region.
10. The United States of America undertakes that immediately upon the signing of this MoU, and until the termination of sanctions, the U.S. Department of Treasury will issue waivers for the export of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products and derivatives, and all associated services including banking transactions, insurances, transportation, etc.
11. The United States of America undertakes to make fully available for use, the frozen or restricted funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran upon the implementation of this MoU. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will mutually agree on the procedures related to the release of these funds during the negotiations. Such funds, whether retained in the original account or transferred, shall be made fully useable for payment to any ultimate beneficiary designated by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America undertakes to issue all necessary licenses and authorizations accordingly.
12. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America agree that an executive mechanism will be established to monitor the successful implementation of this MoU and the future compliance of the final Deal,
13. After signing this MoU, and subject to the beginning of the implementation of paragraphs 1, 4, 5, 10 and 11 of this MoU and the continuing implementation of these measures, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America will start negotiations regarding the final Deal exclusively on the other paragraphs.
14. The final Deal will be endorsed by a binding UNSC resolution.
On behalf of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Date:
On Behalf of the Government of the United States of America
Date:
In witness thereof, The Mediator, On behalf of the Government Of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Date:
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said Thursday he supports the new memorandum of understanding (MOU) ending the Iran conflict, but argued the agreement is weaker than the Obama-era nuclear deal.
“No, I actually support the agreement and bringing the war to an end,” Khanna told host Maria Bartiromo on “Mornings With Maria.”
“I have always supported bringing the war to an end.”
Khanna, who serves on the Oversight and Armed Services committees, said his support comes with serious reservations.
“This agreement is not as good as what the JCPOA was,” Khanna said.
He pointed to three concerns: that the JCPOA removed 97% of Iran’s enriched uranium while the new agreement “simply dilutes it”; that the prior deal had the force of a U.N. Security Council resolution and intrusive inspections; and that the U.S. is now expected to help raise $300 billion for Iran’s economic development and reconstruction.
{{#rendered}}Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as mediator Thursday, according to video released by his office.
Sharif congratulated President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian after the agreement was signed electronically, saying the MOU would “enter into force with immediate effect.”
The mediator signing adds another layer of international backing to the interim agreement, which is intended to pause hostilities and begin a 60-day negotiation period toward a broader settlement.
Notably, the No. 1 goal of Trump's peace deal is "Iran will never have a nuclear weapon," something neighboring Pakistan has.
Pakistan is one of nine states that possess nuclear weapons. Not party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Pakistan's arsenal is estimated at 170 nuclear weapons.
Pakistan’s role gives the deal a regional diplomatic anchor as the U.S. and Iran move from battlefield pressure to negotiations. The agreement’s success now depends on compliance, verification and whether both sides can convert the temporary framework into a durable final deal.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. will adjust its military posture around Iran only if Tehran meets the terms of the interim agreement.
Once the blockade is fully lifted and commerce resumes, the U.S. will “step back and allow commerce to flow,” Hegseth told reporters in a NATO press gaggle.
But he warned the blockade could return quickly if Iran fails to comply.
“If Iran doesn’t comply, then we’re more than able to re-impose an iron-clad blockade,” he added.
U.S. basing in the region will largely remain in place, while troop levels and capabilities will be reviewed based on Iran’s performance during the negotiation period, according to Hegseth.
The Israel Defense Forces said Thursday its troops remain deployed in a security zone about 10 kilometers inside Lebanon, even as an interim U.S.-Iran agreement calls for an immediate halt to military operations in the country.
The IDF said the deployment is needed for “operational requirements” and to protect Israel’s northern communities. Israeli soldiers will continue working to “remove threats” in southern Lebanon, the military said, warning that approaching the area remains dangerous.
Against that backdrop, Israel is negotiating with the U.S. as it seeks to continue its troop presence in southern Lebanon, two Israeli officials — including a senior official close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — told Reuters.
A security official said further steps are still being discussed through direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, with representatives expected to reconvene next week.
The IDF also said a naval security zone extends from the land-based zone into the sea, based on operational needs. The military urged the Lebanese Armed Forces to coordinate with Israeli forces and warned Lebanese civilians to stay out of the area.
Fox News' Yael Rotem-Kuriel and Reuters contributed to this report.
{{#rendered}}Gas prices have slipped below $4 a gallon nationally, offering drivers some relief as more oil moves through the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. crude appears to gain market share.
AAA listed the national average at $3.999 per gallon Thursday morning, down sharply from $4.515 a month ago. Prices remain well above last year’s level of $3.188, but several states are running about 20 cents cheaper than the national average, including Georgia, Missouri, Minnesota, Kentucky and Virginia.
Oil was trading around $74 a barrel, roughly in line with the $75 price from one year ago, though still above the roughly $60 level seen before the conflict.
President Donald Trump's signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) has met with sinking oil prices.
There are also signs of movement in the Strait of Hormuz. Four vessels crossed the waterway Thursday morning, three of them carrying Saudi crude, while six vessels crossed Wednesday.
Kpler says 42 vessels have crossed since Sunday, when the framework of the peace deal was announced.
The traffic remains modest, but it suggests some crude is continuing to move through one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints.
MSI Horizon also says 75 empty ships are headed to the U.S. Gulf Coast to load cargoes, a sign that American oil could benefit as buyers look for secure supply.
Fox News' Mark Meredith and FOX Business' Lauren Simonetti contributed to this report.
Three Saudi-flagged supertankers carrying 6 million barrels of crude sailed through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, hours after President Donald Trump signed a deal with Iran to end the war.
Benchmark Brent crude futures prices fell by another 2% to below $78 a barrel, lowest since the shooting began.
Trump put his signature Wednesday on the memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end the war, as did Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, bringing it into effect two days earlier than previously expected.
It calls for the immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz and lifting of a U.S. blockade of Iran's ports.
Though shippers say it will still take time for transit across the strait to reach pre-war levels, with a need yet to ensure safe access and clear mines, there were immediate signs of an impact.
Ships which once might have concealed their positions by switching off their transponders were now broadcasting their locations, poised to transit the strait.
The U.S.-Iranian memorandum starts the clock on a 60-day negotiation period to reach a final settlement to the war, which Trump launched in February alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called the newly signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) a “historical document” and framed it as proof that Tehran can pursue peace without surrendering its independence.
“This is a historical document and a message from a powerful Iran: Peace will be realized in the shadow of mutual respect,” Pezeshkian wrote in an X post, according to the platform’s translation.
The post included a scanned image that appeared to show the official document signed by President Donald Trump at the Palace of Versailles in France.
Pezeshkian said Iran has remained “committed and steadfast to global peace” while preserving its “dignity and independence,” as well as supporting progress and regional cooperation.
The message marked Iran’s first major public framing of the document after Trump's signing in France ahead of a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio , who received the document before Trump signed it, described the moment as “pretty key” in history.
Pezeshkian’s post shows Iran is presenting the agreement not as a concession, but as a diplomatic achievement rooted in strength, sovereignty and mutual respect.
{{#rendered}}President Donald Trump signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran on Wednesday evening at the Palace of Versailles, turning a formal dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron into a high-profile diplomatic moment.
Middle Eastern crude oil prices are likely to fall if the Strait of Hormuz reopens, releasing millions of barrels of oil stranded in the Middle East Gulf into global markets, industry executives said.
The signing came after Secretary of State Marco Rubio received the document, according to Dan Scavino’s X post. Rubio, standing nearby, called it “a pretty key moment in history we are sharing together.”
The agreement is intended to pause hostilities for 60 days and begin the next phase of nuclear negotiations, while moving toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also signed Wednesday.
The memo had been signed digitally on Sunday by Vice President JD Vance and Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and witnessed by Trump, but the leaders' pen to paper put the 60-day ceasefire deal to work a nuclear deal and lasting Middle East peace in effect.
The setting added unmistakable symbolism: Trump signing at Versailles , French President Emmanuel Macron hosting, Rubio watching, and the administration presenting the document as a first step toward a broader deal. But key issues remain unresolved, including inspections, Iran’s nuclear program and the security of maritime traffic through the Strait.
The wave of oil supply comes after Gulf producers ramped up exports via ship-to-ship transfers off the United Arab Emirates and Oman this month, which depressed spot differentials for Middle East crude to discounts Tuesday.
"The reopening of the Hormuz Strait could unleash some 93 million barrels of stranded non-Iranian barrels from the Persian Gulf, while producers are expected to continue supplying cargoes through less visible channels," Kpler analyst Muyu Xu said in a June 17 note.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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