US and Iran Sign Memorandum to End War, Republican Lawmakers Criticize It as Damaging to National Security

(CNA Washington, June 18, Comprehensive Foreign News) The US and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending a four-month war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. However, several Republican members of Congress have criticized the agreement, warning that it contains significant concessions that could harm US security interests.

According to the Anadolu Agency, after US officials released the 14-point memorandum of understanding (MOU), Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana wrote on the US social media platform X: "If President Reagan were alive, he would be spinning in his grave." The two countries' presidents signed the memorandum electronically today.

Cassidy said: "Iran's nuclear ambitions have not been curbed; instead, they have tasted success and found that threatening to block the Strait of Hormuz is effective, and they will undoubtedly use this tactic again in the future. Now, Iran can also build brand new infrastructure under this agreement."

He added: "Before the war broke out, the strait was open, Iran was severely hit by sanctions, and those 13 US military personnel were still alive. But now, 13 Americans have died, US families are bearing billions of dollars in costs due to rising oil prices, sanctions are about to be lifted, and bombing operations have ceased."

Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, in an interview with the conservative media outlet The Daily Wire, stated that he hopes to see more details of the agreement but pointed out that the publicly disclosed parts so far appear to be "ill-considered."

He said: "History has taught us that giving billions of dollars to theocratic lunatics who want to murder us is a bad idea."

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham initially expressed reservations, but after discussing with US officials, he stated that reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending hostilities could be beneficial.

He wrote on X: "Whether the US can reach an acceptable and verifiable agreement with Iran on its nuclear program and other issues remains to be seen. But I believe there is almost no harm in trying."

He also said: "The economic stability that may result from reopening the strait and ending hostilities could create a path to peace with implications far beyond the US-Iran conflict itself." (Compiled by Chen Yu-ting) 1150618

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