Trump Intends to Refer 'Iran Agreement' to Congress

SadaNews - President Donald Trump stated that he is prepared to refer his temporary agreement to end the war with Iran to Congress for review at a time when lawmakers, including many of his Republican allies, noted that they are largely unaware of the agreement's details.

The agreement between the United States and Iran, announced on Sunday, has generated optimism for a near end to the war that has claimed thousands of lives and disrupted the global economy.

Officials from both countries say that the memorandum of understanding will extend the fragile ceasefire proclaimed in April for another 60 days and will reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime passage that has been effectively closed since the United States and Israel began striking Iran on February 28.

However, the details remain unclear, and the text of the agreement has not been published or sent to Congress.

Trump insisted on Tuesday that Iran must abandon its nuclear weapons program, while Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.

Democrats have expressed skepticism about Trump's latest promise of a peace agreement, with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York stating at the start of a Senate session on Tuesday, "It has been two days since Trump said he reached an understanding with Iran, and he has yet to reveal any details about what this understanding is actually."

Schumer called on the Trump administration to hold a classified briefing for the eight senior officials in Congress, a group of committee leaders who are typically briefed on major developments related to national security.

No plans have been announced to hold such sessions, according to Reuters.

In a statement to reporters in France, Trump said he had not considered sending the memorandum of understanding with Iran to Congress for review but would do so.

Trump explained, "I like the idea," adding that he wants to wait until after the expected official signing ceremony on Friday.

Any such agreement must be submitted to Congress for review before sanctions are lifted, according to the "Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act," a U.S. law enacted in 2015 when then-Democratic President Barack Obama was finalizing the Iran nuclear agreement.

This review opens the door for the potential obstruction of some aspects of the agreement by lawmakers.

Republican lawmakers have shown they are ready to break from the president, as they voted with Democrats, albeit unsuccessfully, to force Trump to seek congressional approval for waging war on Iran.

The U.S. Constitution states that Congress, not the president, has the authority to declare war.

However, most Republicans, who hold a slim majority in both the Senate and House, have shown little desire during Trump's second term to challenge his foreign policy.