Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Jun 16: Less than a day after US President Donald Trump announced that the United States had reached an agreement with Iran, senior Democratic lawmakers called for the immediate release of its details, arguing that Congress cannot assess an accord that has not been made public.

Leading the demand, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said lawmakers and the American public still lacked clarity nearly 24 hours after Trump's announcement.

“It's been almost 24 hours since President Trump said there was a potential deal with Iran, and we still don't know the details,” Schumer said while addressing the Senate.

He noted that the administration had repeatedly declared the conflict over, only for uncertainty to persist.

“We have heard numerous times that this war is over, yet those assurances have repeatedly been followed by disappointment. There have been contradictory statements from different members of the administration. In negotiations of such high importance, every detail matters, but the text of Trump's ‘understanding’ with Iran remains undisclosed,” Schumer said.

The New York senator urged the administration to provide Congress with an immediate briefing.

“The American people deserve to know precisely what this agreement contains. President Trump must brief both Congress and the public immediately and work towards ending this conflict permanently,” he said.

Schumer also raised questions about the administration's broader strategy, including the future role of American troops in the region and the framework for the reported 60-day negotiations.

“Will American troops continue to remain in danger? How does the administration intend to achieve the goals it has outlined? What exactly is the plan for these proposed 60 days of negotiations?” he asked.

He further argued that the conflict had weakened the United States' position.

“The Iranian regime has become more radical, Iran's influence over the Strait of Hormuz has increased, and fuel prices remain significantly higher than before the conflict began. Many Americans are now wondering what has actually been achieved,” Schumer said.

Other Democratic lawmakers echoed similar concerns while cautiously welcoming signs of diplomatic engagement.

Tim Kaine said any progress toward ending the conflict was positive but stressed that diplomacy remained the only viable long-term solution.

“Any movement toward ending this war is encouraging, but it will not reverse the loss of lives or immediately bring fuel prices back to previous levels,” Kaine said.

Describing the conflict as “an entirely unnecessary war,” he urged negotiators to continue pursuing diplomatic solutions.

“Diplomacy remains the only realistic way to ensure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon,” he added.

Kaine also emphasised that all aspects of the agreement, including sanctions relief and financial arrangements, should be carefully examined.

Meanwhile, Jeanne Shaheen, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, welcomed renewed diplomatic efforts but said critical objectives remained unresolved.

“Diplomatic progress is welcome and long overdue,” Shaheen said.

She noted that major goals such as curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions, limiting its missile capabilities and reducing its regional influence had not yet been achieved.

“Congress must be briefed immediately on the terms of this agreement and, under existing law, will review any future nuclear deal,” she said.

In the House of Representatives, Betty McCollum criticised the reported framework, calling it a temporary extension rather than a comprehensive settlement.

“The president's new arrangement with Iran appears to be little more than a fragile 60-day extension of the existing ceasefire,” McCollum said.

She argued that several core issues remained unresolved, including Iran's nuclear programme, ballistic missile capabilities, frozen financial assets and US sanctions.

“Without meaningful progress on these issues, lasting peace and regional stability will remain difficult to achieve,” she said.

Republican lawmaker Nancy Mace adopted a more supportive tone, expressing hope that the agreement would lead to long-term stability.

“After hearing the news of a deal with Iran, we are praying for genuine and lasting peace in the Middle East. We stand with our troops, honour their courage and sacrifice, and pray for their safe return home,” Mace said.