Kennedy on the Iran memorandum of understanding: “We ought to give peace a chance”

Watch Kennedy's comments here.

WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) explained why he is optimistic about the memorandum of understanding that the Trump administration struck with Iran and the possibility of regional peace in a speech on the U.S. Senate floor.

Key excerpts of the speech are below:

"I read the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran. I read it twice. And, for what it's worth, here's my conclusion: I think we ought to give peace a chance, and that's all I'm saying today. You're entitled to your opinion, but all I'm saying today is I think we ought to give peace a chance."

. . .

"Here's what I see in the document. The only certainty, the only practical, real consequence of this document is that for 60 days, America has removed its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. And for 60 days, Iran has removed its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which means ships containing oil and natural gas and fertilizer can go back and forth, just like they were before the conflict started. The other practical consequence is that Iran will be able to start selling its oil again, for 60 days.

"The other thing that we're certain of is that as a result of this agreement, the price of oil is going down. And, as a result of that, the price of gasoline is going down. And, as a result of the Strait of Hormuz being open, the price of fertilizer, for example, and other commodities that go through are coming down. And that's a good thing. And that's all we know."

. . .

"I trust the Iranian government like I trust gas station sushi. . . . But Iran today, its public and private sector, is held together with spit and duct tape. All the president has done is said, 'Okay, for 60 days I'm going to give peace a chance and give you a chance to say what you say is what you're going to do. 60 days. That's it.

"I hope it works out. I've got my doubts. But the president is taking a big risk here, and he's been roundly criticized by my Democrat friends, which I don't really get. . . . I think we ought to give peace a chance. It's only 60 days. And we're just going to have to trust the president on this one, but we'll know soon. And I hope it works. I hope our giving peace a chance makes peace possible."

Watch Kennedy's speech here.