Castro Statement on U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding

Castro Statement on U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding

SAN ANTONIO, TX - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Intelligence Committee, released the following statement on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed to by the United States and Iran:

"The war against Iran was doomed from the start. President Donald Trump, alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, launched this war without clear objectives and without making the case to the American people or the Congress. Thirteen American servicemembers have been killed and hundreds more have been injured. The war has claimed the lives of countless civilians, including scores of Iranian schoolgirls killed in the early days of the war. President Trump's conflict has cost our country dearly. We have spent billions in taxpayer dollars on military aircraft, equipment, missiles, and munitions. American families are left paying the price at gas pumps and grocery stores.

"The President should never have started this war, and I am glad to see that there may be a negotiated end to the conflict.

"As I told Secretary Rubio earlier this month, I am open to hearing the administration's case for this agreement and that if there is a deal, I would approach it with a fair mind. I meant it.

"Matters of war and peace must rise above partisan politics. Democrats must not replicate Republicans' irresponsible opposition to the Obama Administration's Iran nuclear agreement, which placed real constraints on Iran's nuclear program before President Trump foolishly tore it up, setting the stage for this disastrous war.

"The administration must fully inform the Congress on the details of the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding, outlining the administration's goals during the 60-day ceasefire period and what is required of all parties, including Israel, to ensure the ceasefire holds as negotiations continue.

"We must deliver to the American people a permanent end to this conflict. The nation does not want the United States involved in yet another forever war in the Middle East."