Not everyone likes Donald Trump’s deal with Iran – even from within his own ranks.Image: keystone
June 19, 2026, 07:41June 19, 2026, 07:41
After the agreement between the USA and Iran on a framework agreement, criticism of individual agreements is growing – including from the ranks of US President Donald Trump’s Republicans. Among other things, a $300 billion reconstruction fund for the Islamic Republic, which the USA wants to set up together with regional partners, is criticized.
Republican Senator Roger Wicker said the $300 billion made payments under President Obama’s 2015 deal seem like a “piece of cake.” He fears that the USA could give up the successes it achieved in the Iran war. As chairman of the committee responsible for the armed forces, Wicker is one of the most influential parliamentarians. He is not known for openly criticizing President Trump or the war against Iran, which the USA started together with Israel.
Republican Representative Thomas Massie said $300 billion is five times as much as Congress spends annually on roads and bridges in the United States. Republican Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Cruz also expressed criticism.
Even the eternal Trump defender Ted Cruz dared to criticize the president’s plan.Image: keystone
“The worst foreign policy lapse in decades”
Her party colleague in the Senate, Bill Cassidy, said that before the war the Strait of Hormuz was open and sanctions had brought Iran to its knees. Now 13 Americans are dead, sanctions are being relaxed and Americans have paid billions at the pumps. “This is the worst foreign policy lapse in decades.”
According to the agreement between the US and Iran, the fund will only take shape as part of a final agreement to be negotiated between Washington and Tehran in the next 60 days. According to the US government, investments from partner countries are pooled in the fund, not money from the US. The initiative is reminiscent of ambitious investment plans to rebuild the destroyed Gaza Strip, which have not yet come to fruition. (nil/sda/dpa)