Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., stated on Wednesday that a newly signed memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran marks a positive step toward ending hostilities. According to Banks, Tehran now understands President Donald Trump is prepared to respond forcefully if Iran violates the agreement.
Speaking on “Rob Schmitt Tonight,” Banks, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, noted that the agreement follows a conflict in which Iran’s military capabilities have been significantly weakened.
“President Trump has made it very clear that at the end of the day, Iran will never have a nuclear weapon,” Banks said. “Over the last year, we’ve decimated so much of Iran’s military that they are so much worse off today and weakened so much more than they were one year ago.”
The memorandum serves as a temporary framework while negotiations continue toward a permanent peace agreement. Banks emphasized it will help ensure “a free and open Strait of Hormuz for free shipping” and provide “an opportunity to move forward with Iran to build a stronger, healthier relationship.”
However, Banks argued that critics of the agreement are overlooking its most important component: “The one big missing piece of all of this that the media refuses to report is that Donald Trump is going to be in the Oval Office as our commander in chief for the next 2½ years,” he said. “If Iran doesn’t keep up their end of the deal, there will be hell to pay.”
“Donald Trump will bomb the hell out of them if they don’t do what they said they would do,” Banks added.
Banks repeatedly stressed that the threat of renewed military action and the possibility of reinstating sanctions would ensure Iranian compliance. “If they go back to their old ways of funneling money to their proxy terrorist groups, we will hold them accountable for it,” he said. “If there is ever evidence that they are developing a nuclear weapon again, we will hold them accountable for it.”
“If they block the strait, we will hold them accountable for it,” Banks continued.
The senator also addressed concerns about reports Iran could gain access to a $300 billion reconstruction fund backed by Gulf Arab states and resume oil sales before a final agreement is reached. “This isn’t U.S. taxpayer dollars,” Banks said. “The sanctions are effective.”
“We can put them back in place, maximum pressure that we’ve applied to Iran before. We can also go back to the blockade, which was very effective as well.”
Banks noted Iran’s leaders understand the consequences of violating the agreement: “Iran now knows that President Trump isn’t fooling around,” he said. “At the end of the day, they will not have a nuclear weapon, and the rest of the world is better off for it. Most importantly, America is safer and better off for it thanks to President Trump.”
