Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Tuesday that Republican leaders are demanding to see the text of a memorandum of understanding that would end the military conflict with Iran, but have not yet received a briefing on the agreement.
"We're trying to get it," Thune told reporters at the Capitol, acknowledging that even senior lawmakers lack basic information about the preliminary accord announced Sunday.
The memorandum centers on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the United States' naval blockade in the region. It also includes potential financial incentives for Iran if the country meets certain conditions. Vice President JD Vance described the MOU as "a very general document" about a page long, with specifics to be determined during further negotiations.
Republican senators returning to Washington expressed widespread skepticism about the agreement. Thune said his primary concerns involve compliance and enforcement mechanisms. "I think the issues are going to be compliance, and how are you going to enforce that," he said, adding that the deal would be favorable if financial incentives are tied to Iran eliminating its enriched uranium and abandoning its nuclear program.
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina questioned the secrecy surrounding the agreement. "If it's a secret deal then how can I take it seriously?" he asked.
Other Republicans also sought clarity before the deal moves forward. The memorandum reportedly includes the possibility of releasing Iran's frozen funds, sanctions relief, and a 300 billion dollar reconstruction fund contingent on Tehran meeting specific benchmarks. Vance indicated that Gulf states would finance the reconstruction fund, not the United States.
Vance said the White House would release the text this week, emphasizing that "Iran doesn't get a dime of money unless they perform their obligations." However, the administration has not yet addressed key questions about verification of Iran's nuclear compliance or who will oversee the destruction of enriched uranium stored at damaged nuclear sites.
The agreement marks President Trump's second approach to Iran policy. He withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord during his first term, a deal that allowed Iran to reclaim frozen assets. Trump has repeatedly criticized that agreement as sending "pallets of cash" to Iran.
Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally and longtime Iran hawk, called for Congress to review and vote on the final agreement. "Let's look at it and see what it actually is," Graham said, expressing doubt about Iranian claims regarding the deal's benefits.
Vance responded by cautioning Graham and others against believing "hardliner propaganda in Iran" rather than focusing on the actual agreement terms.