The United States and Iran have struck a deal after a months-long war that resulted in skyrocketing fuel and food prices for American consumers.
Now, the countries have 60 days to formalize the terms of their agreement, and more negotiations are expected. The Trump administration is touting the deal as a victory, though many, including Democratic lawmakers, disagree.
In an interview with NJ Spotlight News, U.S. Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) called it a “strategic failure.”
“We see a deal where Iran is getting billions of dollars,” Kim said. “And we have no assurances about what is going to happen next in terms of their ambitions around a nuclear weapon.”
On Thursday, the U.S. lifted its naval blockade of Iran, part of the agreement outlined in the memorandum of understanding between the two countries. The agreement includes a plan to rebuild Iran with fiscal support from the U.S. and its regional allies amounting to at least $300 billion. However, none of these commitments will be finalized until the deal is set, within the next 60 days.
“What did we get out of this? What did the American people get?” Kim asked. “The American people ended up spending $60 billion more in fuel costs since the beginning of this war.”
The conflict, which led to the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, disrupted the global fuel supply.
“Before the war the Strait of Hormuz was open,” said Kim. “We didn’t have a problem.”
Kim distinguished this agreement and from that with Iran, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, under President Barack Obama in 2015. That included world powers like Russia and China, and measures to monitor Iran’s nuclear program. Trump pulled out of it in his first term in 2018.
Housing and Delaney Hall
Kim also is working on domestic matters.
Bipartisan legislation called the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, passed in the Senate, is expected to pass by a significant margin in the House. The bill was designed to foster fast development and add federal money toward affordable housing.
“This is going to help build more housing in America,” Kim said. “And that will help give people more opportunities to own and rent.”
The congressman also criticized Geo Group, the operator of the Delaney Hall immigrant detention center in Newark. People held there have issued four open letters alleging poor conditions, including rotten food, inadequate medical care, forced labor and more.
On June 6, his third visit to Delaney Hall, he was unable to speak with people in custody, he said.
“Anytime I stepped foot on a floor they would go and clear out all of the detainees, close the door between me and them. What do they have to hide?” he said.
