06/17/2026
AMERICA DOESN’T NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS—UNLESS THERE’S A $300 BILLION DEAL TO ANNOUNCE
For years, Americans were told that Iran was one of the most dangerous regimes on Earth.
We were told Iran was the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. We were told it financed, armed, trained, and protected violent groups across the Middle East. We were told that every dollar Iran gained could eventually support missiles, militias, hostage-taking, or terrorism.
Now the United States is helping push a proposed $300 billion private investment fund for Iran as part of a broader peace and nuclear agreement.
No, this is not a $300 billion check written directly by American taxpayers. The money would reportedly come from private companies and international investors, and Iran’s access would supposedly depend on reaching and obeying a final agreement.
But let’s stop playing word games.
The United States negotiated the framework. The United States would approve the sanctions relief and financial access necessary to make the investments possible. The United States would be helping unlock hundreds of billions of dollars in economic opportunity for the same regime our own government has repeatedly called the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism.
This is the government that has supported groups including Hezbollah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other armed proxies throughout the region.
This is also a government with a documented history of allowing an al-Qaeda network to operate through Iran and move money and fighters. U.S. officials previously reported that intermediaries established contacts between Iran and Osama bin Laden’s organization and helped al-Qaeda members travel through Iranian territory.
And yes, there is a factual connection to the history surrounding September 11—but we must describe it honestly.
The 9/11 Commission found that several future hijackers traveled through Iran and benefited from the Iranian practice of not stamping certain passports. However, the commission did not find evidence that Iran or Hezbollah knew about the specific 9/11 plot beforehand.
That does not make Iran responsible for planning 9/11. It does mean Iran’s relationship with al-Qaeda cannot simply be erased from the conversation because a new deal is politically convenient.
Then there is the treatment of women.
This is the regime whose morality police arrested 22-year-old Jina Mahsa Amini over allegations that she was not wearing her hijab correctly. She died in custody, setting off the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests.
Iranian authorities answered those protests with killings, imprisonment, beatings, torture, surveillance, intimidation, and ex*****ons. Women and girls continue to face mandatory-hijab enforcement and systematic discrimination under Iranian law and government policy.
Women can be punished for showing their hair while the men controlling the country are being offered access to one of the largest international investment packages imaginable.
Think about that.
A woman can be arrested over a head covering.
A peaceful protester can be beaten or imprisoned.
A dissident can face ex*****on.
But the regime responsible can sit across from the United States and negotiate access to a $300 billion economic fund.
Diplomacy sometimes requires negotiating with brutal governments. Preventing nuclear war and reopening international shipping lanes are legitimate goals. But the American people deserve honesty about what is happening.
Do not tell us America never negotiates with terrorists.
Do not tell us economic relief for Iran always equals terrorism when a Democratic president does it, but suddenly becomes “peace through strength” when Donald Trump does it.
Call it what it is:
The United States is negotiating with a state sponsor of terrorism and helping construct an enormous economic reward in exchange for promises of better behavior.
Maybe the deal will prevent war. Maybe it will restrain Iran’s nuclear program. Maybe strict inspections and enforcement will make it worthwhile.
But before hundreds of billions of dollars begin flowing into Iran’s economy, Americans deserve to see the complete agreement, the enforcement mechanisms, the terrorism conditions, the human-rights requirements, and the protections ensuring that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and sanctioned organizations do not benefit.
Because history has already shown us what this regime does with power, money, and impunity.
And the women of Iran have paid the price.
