A Republican senator pleaded with reporters to "take a breath" as they tore apart President Donald Trump's Iran deal claim by claim.
Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) found himself on the defensive on Thursday during a Capitol Hill press availability, struggling to answer pointed questions about the memorandum of understanding the Trump administration struck with Iran.
It started with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).
"What would you say to your Republican colleagues — like Ted Cruz — who say the deal is bad and that we are sending a lot of money across?" a reporter asked.
"If not this, what would you do?" Moreno shot back. "Give me an alternative."
The reporters kept coming.
"We didn't achieve anything," one pressed. "Nothing was achieved. They've still got their nuclear capabilities."
"That's not a fact," Moreno insisted. "That's an opinion."
A second reporter zeroed in on the MOU's claim that $300 billion could flow to Iran. Moreno explained it was contingent on Arab and other nations investing in Iranian infrastructure — but only if Iran ended its nuclear program and returned enriched uranium.
"They're not going to do that," the reporter said flatly.
"You don't know that!" Moreno fired back. "Maybe they won't."
"They won't."
"Maybe they — well, do you have a crystal ball?"
Moreno had opened the exchange on an upbeat note, calling the deal "a very positive thing" and urging his colleagues and the press corps alike to hope for the best.
"Why not take a breath," he said, "and hope that we have a good outcome — that we have peace and stability?"
"Although," he added, "we aren't allowed to bet on Polymarket anymore."
