The White House released a statement Wednesday celebrating President Donald J. Trump and Vice President JD Vance's signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Iran, describing the agreement as a historic breakthrough achieved through American strength. The deal ensures Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon and reopens the Strait of Hormuz to free navigation, marking a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
"Forged through decisive American strength, this agreement ensures Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon, reopens the Strait of Hormuz to free navigation, and puts America First — rejecting the failed policies of appeasement, cash payoffs, and endless wars that have weakened the United States for decades," the White House said.
The agreement has drawn widespread bipartisan praise from U.S. lawmakers who characterized it as a victory for the Trump administration's "peace through strength" approach. Senator John Barrasso said President Trump "forced Iran to the table from a position of American strength," emphasizing that Iran will not be able to enrich uranium or acquire nuclear weapons under the terms of the deal.
Senator Lindsey Graham offered a measured assessment, stating that signing the MOU "will be beneficial to the United States" as the Strait of Hormuz will begin to open and hostilities with Iran will stop. "I see little downside to trying," Graham said, adding that the economic stability from opening the Strait "could create a pathway to peace well beyond the Iranian conflict."
Senator Bill Hagerty drew a contrast with the Obama-era Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action: "Where President Obama paid Iran for their nuclear program, @POTUS is making them pay to end it. After we decimated their military and nuclear capabilities, the world's most infamous state sponsor of terrorism is finally coming to the table — this time, on President Trump's terms."
Senator John Kennedy urged patience, calling for a 60-day window to allow the agreement to take effect. "Let's give peace a chance," Kennedy said. "Let's give us 60 days to give peace a chance, and that's all he's saying."
Senator Roger Marshall noted the economic benefits of the deal, saying that Americans "deserve affordable gas and groceries, and this agreement accomplishes just that." Marshall added that the world is "safer today than they were before" and that the regime has now signed a document committing to forgo nuclear weapons for the first time.
The White House statement noted that the agreement rejects the policies of previous administrations that it said had weakened the United States. The MOU represents the culmination of the Trump administration's maximum pressure campaign against Iran, which included military strikes and economic sanctions that brought Tehran to the negotiating table.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, is expected to stabilize energy markets and lower prices worldwide. The deal also opens the door for potential expansion of the Abraham Accords, with Senator Graham expressing hope for "normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel" as an ultimate goal.
Sources: whitehouse.gov
