Pence Condemns Trump’s Iran Agreement as ‘A Strategy to Create a Strategy’
Pence rips Trump s Iran deal – Former Vice President Mike Pence delivered a pointed critique of President Donald Trump’s Iran deal in an op-ed published in *The Wall Street Journal*, calling the agreement a “strategy to create a strategy” rather than a concrete resolution to Iran’s growing influence in the region. The piece, released on Sunday, marked Pence’s latest intervention in the ongoing debate over U.S. foreign policy toward Tehran, highlighting his frustration with the tentative terms of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) reached between the two nations.
Calling for Decisive Action Amid Prolonged Conflict
Pence opened his column by acknowledging Trump’s efforts to “act decisively” in confronting Iran through military action. He argued that such measures were essential to ensure peace, as the public overwhelmingly supports an end to further conflict in the Middle East. “No one wants another long-standing war in the region,” he wrote, “especially when populist right-wing isolationists dismiss the urgency of the situation with flippant remarks.”
“It isn’t the deal a defeated Iran should be getting. It isn’t even a deal—it’s a plan to make a plan.”
Pence emphasized that the MOU, signed the previous week, failed to deliver meaningful outcomes. He accused the administration of adopting a strategy that prioritizes diplomacy over firm commitments, describing it as an example of the “appeasement” the U.S. had previously opposed during his first term as vice president. According to Pence, the agreement’s lack of tangible results undermines its purpose, leaving Iran’s threat unaddressed and the U.S. vulnerable to continued aggression.
Key Shortcomings of the Memorandum
The 14-point MOU, Pence argued, does not adequately address Iran’s core capabilities. He pointed out that the agreement does not capitalize on the weakened state of Iran’s military following recent conflicts, which could have been a pivotal moment to secure lasting concessions. “This document fails to exploit the current weakness of the Iranian regime,” he wrote, “instead offering a temporary fix that lacks the strength of a real solution.”
One of the most concerning aspects, Pence said, was the omission of requirements for Iran to dismantle its nuclear program. The MOU allows the country to continue uranium enrichment, a move he viewed as a significant oversight. “Leaving Iran’s ballistic missile capacity untouched is equally problematic,” he added, “and its support for terrorist organizations remains a glaring flaw in the agreement.”
Pence criticized the MOU’s timeline as well, noting that it delays critical decisions on Iran’s nuclear ambitions while providing immediate economic relief. “Sanctions relief and renewed energy exports will deliver $5 billion monthly to the Iranian regime,” he wrote, “but this sequence is inverted. We should secure security concessions first before offering financial incentives.”
Opportunity Missed by the Administration
Pence asserted that the U.S.’s military campaign had created the conditions for Iran to accept American demands. He argued that the agreement’s success hinges on leveraging this momentum to achieve lasting change. “The Iranian regime is now weakened, and this should be our chance to demand an end to its nuclear ambitions,” he stated. “Yet the MOU settles for vague promises instead of concrete victories.”
The former vice president also called for the restoration of “freedom of navigation” in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that failure to do so would necessitate a stronger military response. “If Iran continues to block the strait, the U.S. must be prepared to use its full military power,” he wrote, echoing Trump’s recent threats. The op-ed concluded with a demand for the 60-day period to be used to finalize the deal’s missing elements: an end to Iran’s nuclear program, a halt to its support for terrorist groups, and a resolution to its decades-long conflict with the U.S. and Israel.
Previous Doubts and Continued Concerns
Despite earlier statements suggesting Trump had some flexibility in negotiating with Iran, Pence maintained significant reservations. He told *The Hill* the week prior that he still harbored “very real concerns” about the deal’s viability, fearing it would not adequately address Iran’s strategic goals. “The MOU is a step forward, but it’s not enough to satisfy the long-term interests of our allies and the American people,” he said.
The deal’s recent delays, Pence noted, were partly due to new Israeli strikes in Lebanon, which tested the agreement’s stability and pushed peace talks to a later date. Trump, who spoke on Sunday, warned that the U.S. might take control of the Strait of Hormuz if Iran refused to reopen it. “I’ll blow the s— out of them,” the president said during a *Fox News* interview, underscoring his readiness to escalate tensions if needed.
Pence’s critique aligns with broader criticism of the administration’s approach, which some argue has prioritized diplomatic engagement over decisive action. While the MOU aims to create a framework for cooperation, its critics, including Pence, contend it lacks the enforceability and ambition required to counter Iran’s nuclear capabilities and regional influence. “This agreement is a stopgap measure,” he wrote, “but Iran is not a country that can be pacified by half-hearted promises.”
Implications for U.S. Foreign Policy
The dispute over the MOU reflects a deeper tension within the Trump administration between conciliatory diplomacy and hardline military strategy. Pence’s comments suggest that the deal, while a starting point, falls short of addressing the fundamental threats posed by Iran. He argued that without a firm commitment to dismantle the country’s nuclear program and curtail its support for militant groups, the U.S. risks a prolonged standoff.
“The 60-day window is our final opportunity to secure these essential concessions,” Pence wrote. “If we don’t act decisively now, we may have to rely on the military to finish the job.” His call for a more robust approach underscores the urgency of the situation, as the MOU’s implementation could determine the future of U.S.-Iran relations. Pence’s op-ed, however, remains a clear statement that the current deal is not a definitive victory but a necessary first step in a broader strategy.
As the talks progress, the focus will be on whether the MOU can be strengthened to meet the expectations of both the administration and its critics. Pence’s insistence on a more comprehensive agreement highlights the need for a plan that addresses Iran’s nuclear ambitions directly. “We must ensure that this strategy leads to real outcomes,” he concluded, “not just the illusion of progress.”
