Duckworth Blasts Trump-Iran Deal as ‘One of the Worst Deals Ever Made’

Illinois senator says the memorandum lets Iran keep its nuclear program, ends sanctions and leaves the U.S. “less safe, less secure and worse off than before.”

Celia Olivas - Office of U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth

Jun 19, 2026 10:25 AM

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of both the U.S. Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees—issued the following statement in reaction to President Donald Trump’s disastrous U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding:

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“For over 100 days, an ‘end’ to this illegal and expensive war is all anyone has asked for. But there can be no other interpretation: Iran won, Trump caved and the American people lost.

“This disastrous, incompetent deal is full of concessions and forfeits every single goal Trump threw at us to justify a war that has cost 14 servicemembers’ lives, burned through at least $35 billion and ran our economy into the ground. It allows Iran to keep its nuclear program and continue arming terrorist proxies in the region. It terminates sanctions and pays Iran to reopen the Strait by unfreezing billions in funds and promising $300 billion in reconstruction. It’s the biggest payout without any conditions on a long-time adversary who wishes America harm.

“And what did the American people get in return for all the economic pain their President promised would pay off? Nothing. We are less safe, less secure and worse off than before.

“This outcome is what happens when our nation’s leaders prioritize bombs over diplomacy. It’s one of the worst deals ever made—and I’ll use every tool at my disposal to ensure not another cent goes toward Trump’s failed war.”

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