Pence Slams Trump’s Iran Deal as Obama-Style Appeasement

Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence sharply criticized the emerging agreement between the Trump administration and Iran, warning that the deal offers Tehran major economic benefits while failing to require meaningful concessions.

Pence, who served under Donald Trump during his first term, said the reported terms of the agreement do not include clear commitments from Iran to dismantle its nuclear program or ballistic missile program.

“The language that has come out contains no mention of dismantling the nuclear program or the ballistic missile program,” Pence said. He added that there is also “no commitment to stop support for Hamas, Hezbollah or other terrorist organizations” by the regime in Tehran.

Pence focused much of his criticism on the economic benefits Iran is expected to receive immediately after the memorandum of understandings is signed.

He said the agreement includes immediate sanctions relief that could provide the Iranian regime with up to $3 billion per month.

By contrast, Pence argued, Iran would not be required to take significant steps before receiving those benefits.

He also warned that the deal could include the release of around $100 billion in frozen Iranian assets. According to Pence, some leaked drafts suggest those funds could be released even before a final agreement is reached, provided there is progress in the talks.

Pence also criticized proposals for a large reconstruction fund for Iran while the current regime remains in power.

He pointed to what he described as a call for the United States and others to organize a $300 billion reconstruction fund, saying such a move would be deeply irresponsible while the Revolutionary Guards and radical Islamists continue to control Iran.

Pence compared the current approach to previous Democratic administrations’ policies toward Tehran.

“I believe this smells like the appeasement we saw during the Obama years, the appeasement Joe Biden tried to achieve and was ignored by the Iranians, and which we rejected outright during the first Trump administration,” he said.

Pence urged Trump to change course and take a harder line in negotiations.

He said the president should stand firm, draw a clear red line and demand basic terms that serve American security, Israel’s security and regional stability.

“If the Iranians do not agree to these basic conditions, then I think we should allow the armed forces of the United States to open the straits and eliminate the threat on our terms,” Pence said.