Ted Cruz warns Trump against potential Iran deal, says outcome could be ‘disastrous mistake’

WASHINGTON, DC: Senator Ted Cruz publicly warned President Donald Trump against moving forward with a proposed agreement involving Iran, saying he fears the deal could end up strengthening the same regime the United States recently moved aggressively against.

On Saturday, May 23, Cruz shared a lengthy statement expressing concern over reports that members inside the administration were pushing for an Iran agreement as negotiations reportedly moved closer to completion. 

Ted Cruz says Iran deal could undo Trump’s military success

Cruz described Trump’s earlier military decision to strike Iran as “the most consequential decision of his second term,” while praising the operation as a major success for the United States.

“President Trump’s decision to strike Iran was the most consequential decision of his second term. He was right to do so, and we achieved extraordinary military results,” Cruz wrote.

The Texas senator claimed the US had destroyed Iran’s missiles and drones while also sinking its navy during the confrontation.

He then warned that any agreement allowing Tehran to regain financial strength or nuclear capabilities would completely undermine those gains.

“If the result of all that is to be an Iranian regime — still run by Islamists who chant ‘death to America’ — now receiving billions of dollars, being able to enrich uranium & develop nuclear weapons, and having effective control over the Strait of Hormuz, then that outcome would be a disastrous mistake,” Cruz said.

The senator added that he hoped early reports about the proposed arrangement were inaccurate.

“The details are still coming out — and I pray the early reports are wrong — but the fact that Biden’s Rob Malley is praising the deal is not encouraging,” he added.

Donald Trump says broader Iran agreement is ‘largely negotiated’

Cruz’s warning followed Trump’s own announcement earlier in the day about the status of negotiations.

In a Truth Social post shared Saturday, Trump claimed an agreement had already been “largely negotiated” between the United States, Iran and several regional allies.

According to the president, discussions were still underway regarding final details, but negotiators had made major progress.

“An agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries,” Trump wrote.

Trump also said the proposed arrangement would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes. He revealed he had spoken with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Pakistan and Turkey as part of the ongoing diplomatic effort.

The president further stated that he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and said the conversation “went very well.”

Marco Rubio repeats administration’s red lines on Iran

Even as negotiations reportedly moved forward, members of the administration continued publicly stressing their conditions for any agreement.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while speaking during a visit to India, said the United States remained firm on preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

“Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. The straits need to be open without tolls. They need to turn over their enriched uranium,” Rubio said.

Trump, meanwhile, continued presenting the possible agreement as part of his “peace through strength” approach to foreign policy.

Cruz stressed part of that message in his statement, saying Trump had already made America “much safer” through strong leadership.

“President Trump believes in peace through strength, and his strong leadership has already made America much safer,” Cruz wrote. “He should continue to hold the line, defend America & enforce the red lines he has repeatedly drawn.”