Hoyer: President Trump has to Answer for His Decision to Hand a Victory to Iran

June 18, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement after President Donald Trump formally signed a memorandum of understanding to end the war with Iran and the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz: “President Trump made it clear that his war of choice in Iran would have to end in surrender. Unfortunately, it appears he has chosen to surrender to the demands of Iran’s theocratic despots. The agreement he signed is not a demonstration of leadership but an abdication of it. It betrays the troops whom he sent into harm’s way and the allies whom he asked to have faith in America. It is, in effect an apology to the Iranian regime and the IRGC and recompense. That is never how America should end a war. “This agreement gives Iran hundreds of billions of dollars, near-complete sanctions relief, and possibly the ability to impose transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz. The funds now being released are a windfall to the IRGC that can now be used to rebuild Iran’s terror proxies. The regime President Trump claimed would be overthrown remains in power to torment the beleaguered Iranian people. Most dangerously, there appears to be no clear progress toward preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. “The next sixty days should be spent pursuing an agreement that meets certain conditions - otherwise it risks deepening instability in the region and creating new dangers for America, Israel, and Gulf states. Moreover, Congress must assert its oversight role and have a say on behalf of the American people, whose trust this president betrayed and who continue to pay the enormous price of his war. President Trump has to answer for his decision to hand a victory to Iran in the shortsighted hope that it brings his party short-term political reprieve.” Issues : National Security & Veterans