Top Senate Republican warns against ‘weak’ Iran deal, calls for military to reopen Hormuz

Chairman of Senate Armed Services Committee lobbies Trump to reopen Strait of Hormuz by force and avoid “weak” deal with Iran.

By World Israel News Staff

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker is urging President Donald Trump not to pursue a diplomatic agreement with Iran, warning that a weak deal would undermine the military pressure Washington has built against Tehran.

“We are at a moment that will define President Trump’s legacy,” Wicker said. “His instincts have been to finish the job he started in Iran, but he is being ill-advised to pursue a deal that would not be worth the paper it is written on.”

The Mississippi Republican called on Trump to keep up military pressure rather than settle for an agreement with Iran’s leadership.

“Our commander in chief needs to allow America’s skilled armed forces to finish the destruction of Iran’s conventional military capabilities and reopen the strait,” Wicker said. “Further pursuit of an agreement with Iran’s Islamist regime risks a perception of weakness. We must finish what we started. It is past time for action.”

Wicker’s statement exposed a growing split among Republicans as the administration weighs whether to continue negotiations with Iran or resume military action. Trump has said a deal to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz is “largely negotiated,” though major questions remain unresolved.

The White House pushed back on the criticism, saying Trump would not accept a bad agreement.

“Iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon, and while President Trump always prefers a diplomatic solution, he has been clear about the consequences if Iran refuses to make a deal,” a White House official said.

The official said Trump “holds the cards” after US military and economic pressure on Iran and “has all the time he needs to make the best deal for the United States and the world.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there had been movement in the talks but cautioned that no agreement had been reached.

“There’s been some progress. I wouldn’t exaggerate it. I wouldn’t diminish it,” Rubio told reporters. “There’s more work to be done. We’re not there yet. I hope we get there.”

Rubio said any deal would have to address Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, the future of its enrichment program and issues surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway has been a central focus of the crisis after its closure disrupted global energy markets.

Trump has defended giving diplomacy more time, saying that delaying military action could be worthwhile if it prevents additional deaths.

“If I can save war by waiting a couple of days, if I can save people being killed by waiting a couple of days, I think it’s a great thing to do,” Trump said.

The diplomatic effort has also involved regional mediators. Pakistani army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir traveled to Tehran for talks with senior Iranian officials, part of a broader push to reduce tensions between Washington and Tehran. Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, said Tehran would not compromise in talks and warned of a stronger response if the US resumed hostilities.

Rubio said the talks remain uncertain and could still fail.

“We’re dealing with a very difficult group of people,” he said, adding that Trump “has other options” if diplomacy does not produce what the administration considers a good deal.