Cruz warns against Iran sanctions relief and enrichment concessions

Senator Ted Cruz publicly warned against an Iran agreement that would lift sanctions or leave Tehran with any uranium enrichment pathway. Cruz’s criticism sharpened Republican pressure on President Donald Trump as the White House tried to finalize a deal to end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and secure limits on Iran’s nuclear program. Cruz’s position placed him with Republican hawks who wanted Trump to hold a harder line against Iran. The pressure campaign also included Roger Wicker, Lindsey Graham, Tom Cotton, Thom Tillis, Mike Pompeo, and John Bolton, while Rand Paul defended diplomacy and Marco Rubio defended the administration’s negotiations.