The Senate failed to advance a war powers resolution that would halt US military action against Iran, with the vote falling 47-48 short of the majority needed to advance the measure. This marks the ninth time senators have attempted to end the nearly four-month-long war, with four Republicans joining most Democrats in supporting the resolution. Senator Raphael Warnock, who proposed the resolution, urged colleagues to "join me in putting a check on this president's lawless warmongering," stating "the time is always right to do what's right." The House approved its own war powers resolution this month when a small number of Republicans crossed over to join Democrats, while the Senate has settled into a familiar pattern of falling one vote short of the necessary tally. Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana voted in favor, while Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted against.
Wall Street analysts are expressing cautious optimism about President Trump's Iran deal, with market watchers viewing the development as a temporary bandage rather than a long-term solution. Traders are cheering the signing of the Iran deal memorandum, but some on Wall Street remain skeptical about whether or when the war will actually end. The market response reflects broader concerns about the deal's durability and the likelihood of sustained peace between the two nations. This cautious stance contrasts with the initial enthusiasm from traders who are celebrating the diplomatic breakthrough.
US intelligence agencies have raised serious doubts about Iran's willingness to follow through on nuclear concessions in the newly signed memorandum of understanding, according to reports from Axios. CIA Director John Ratcliffe briefed President Trump that intelligence gathered by multiple US agencies indicates Iranian intentions are not aligned with their commitments under the deal. The intelligence suggests that Iranian officials were discussing the agreement among themselves in ways inconsistent with what they were telling mediators and American negotiators. "The intelligence reflects that the Iranian intentions are not in line with their commitments under the deal," one source told Axios. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also raised concerns in internal discussions, while Vice President JD Vance and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner advocated for the deal.
Republican lawmakers are expressing significant skepticism about the US-Iran peace deal, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune stating he doesn't know enough about the agreement. "Even the people who follow this stuff closely up here don't know that much about it," Thune told reporters in the Capitol. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina questioned the deal's transparency, asking "If it's a secret deal then how can I take it seriously?" The agreement, set for a formal signing ceremony in Switzerland on Friday, has not been fully explained by the Trump administration, particularly regarding how nuclear compliance will be verified and enriched uranium destroyed. Vice President JD Vance told ABC News that the White House would release the text this week, stating "what everybody will see is that Iran doesn't get a dime of money unless they perform their obligations."
US President Donald Trump confirmed that Iran has agreed to 'never possess a nuclear weapon' as part of the newly signed memorandum of understanding with the United States. In a post on Truth Social, Trump reiterated his administration's position that the agreement with Iran would ensure that Tehran does not develop nuclear weapons, stating 'Iran has agreed to never have a Nuclear Weapon! Also, the story that the US is paying Iran 300 million Dollars is Fake News, put out by the Dumocrats!!' Trump's remarks come amid ongoing discussions surrounding the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the United States and Iran, which establishes a framework for future engagement and links sanctions relief to Tehran's compliance with nuclear verification measures and regional security commitments. Backing the President's position, US Vice President JD Vance said Trump's diplomatic efforts had once again delivered results and reaffirmed that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remained a central objective of the agreement.
According to senior US administration officials, the memorandum signed by Trump and Vance creates a structure for future negotiations and bilateral relations between Washington and Tehran. Officials said the agreement operates on a performance-based model, under which Iran's cooperation on nuclear inspections, verification measures and commitments against supporting regional extremism would determine the extent of sanctions relief and economic engagement. "The more that the Iranians are willing to work with us on their nuclear program, on verifying that they're not building a nuclear weapon, on not funding radicalism and terrorism in the region, the more that they're going to be welcomed into the world economy through a combination of sanctions relief and other economic measures," administration officials said. Vice President Vance had earlier stated that sanctions relief would follow only if Iran took verifiable steps to eliminate enriched uranium stockpiles and accepted a robust inspection regime. The agreement includes the possibility of releasing Iran's frozen funds, sanctions relief and a ₹25 lakh crore fund to help rebuild Iran if Tehran meets certain benchmarks, senior US officials told reporters Monday, though the document has not been released.
The Hormuz Strait is already partially reopened with ships beginning to move through the strategic waterway, according to President Trump's announcement at the G7 summit. "I am very happy to say the deal's all signed and the strait is already partially opened. They are doing a little hunt for a couple of mines they've already found. But essentially, ships are starting to go out now. On Friday, it will be completely opened. We got along very well with Iran," Trump stated during his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. A senior US official had previously confirmed to The New York Times that the Hormuz Strait will be fully open by Friday, with heavy tankers getting priority movement to ensure oil and gas supplies flow very quickly. "Just to be clear here, it takes a bit of time, because you know you have mines in the Straits. But you will see a significant increase in traffic in the Strait of Hormuz actually starting already, and that will ramp up slowly over time to the point where I think a week from now, two weeks from now, we probably won't return to normal in two weeks, but we will see a significant increase in Strait traffic," the official stated. The memorandum of understanding ensures the Strait of Hormuz will be 'toll-free for 60 days,' with the expectation that it would become part of the final agreement, as well. The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is considered one of the world's most important energy chokepoints, carrying a substantial share of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports.
Despite the diplomatic progress, Congressional leaders are demanding thorough briefings before the deal can be finalized, with many lawmakers expressing skepticism about the agreement's terms. "I just don't know enough about it," Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters, adding that he had not been personally briefed on the deal. Senator Thom Tillis questioned the deal's transparency, stating 'If it's a secret deal then how can I take it seriously?' Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Trump and longtime hawk on Iran, has appeared skeptical, saying he wants to see the memorandum that the two countries have agreed on and wants Vice President Vance to present it to lawmakers. Under the Iran nuclear agreement review act passed by Congress in 2015, any deal concerning Iran's nuclear material must be submitted for review within a certain amount of time to Congress. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine has been leading the party's efforts to halt the war in Iran unless Congress has authorized it, arguing that as negotiations are underway to end the conflict, Congress must work to ensure the US does not resume military strikes in what has been a fragile ceasefire. "If we're really in a period of maybe some stability here, let's not just allow it to start up again without Congress being involved in that decision," Kaine said. Senators are also beginning to discuss what Congress will do, if anything, to provide oversight of Trump's emerging Iran deal, with some arguing that the Senate must vote on any agreement the Trump administration strikes with Iran.
