While President Donald Trump has been the most pro-Israel president in U.S. history, the deal outlined in the MOU presents a serious threat to Israel. The 14-point MOU defers the disposition of Iran’s nuclear program to future talks, outlines provisions for keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, and provides for the easing of financial sanctions. However, the MOU contains the following major flaws:

• Israel was excluded from the negotiations and the MOU limits Israel in its ability to defend itself.
• Iran would be allowed to maintain ballistic missiles and support its terrorist proxy groups of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
• According to the MOU, pending a final agreement, Iran will maintain “the status quo on its nuclear program.”
• The MOU states, “The United States undertakes that, in light of the progress of negotiations towards a final agreement, frozen or restricted funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be released and made fully available.” These sanctions include about $300 billion in frozen funds.
• The deal lacks any provision for preventing human rights abuses inside Iran.

Under INARA, any “agreement” related to Iran’s nuclear program, “regardless of the form it takes, whether a political commitment or otherwise,” is subject to congressional resolution that either approves or disapproves of the deal. In 2015, President Barack Obama’s “Iran deal,” known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, underwent intense scrutiny in Congress before it was passed.

However, the Trump administration appears to be moving forward with negotiations with Iran as if the MOU does not need Congress to sign off on it. With mounting criticism over the MOU, the situation presents Congress and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson with an opportunity to assert its role and fully evaluate the deal.

Chairman of Christians in Defense of Israel Mat Staver said, “The proposed Memorandum of Understanding between President Donald Trump and Iran is both flawed and unbinding until Congress provides its due diligence and approval. The Trump administration should not attempt to bypass the legally required congressional review. This MOU is strategically flawed leaving Israel in a more dangerous geo-political environment. Iran is ideologically motivated to destroy Israel. The MOU or any future agreement is unlikely to be honored by Iran.”

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