US Second District Congressman Derek Schmidt says while he is happy to see some progress being made in discussions between the United States and Iran, he says the US delegation cannot lose its primary focus as the discussions continue.
Schmidt’s comments came during his monthly appearance on KVOE’s Morning Show this past Friday, just five days after the Strait of Hormuz reopened following the signing of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding.
Schmidt also stated he is pleased that a ceasefire had been enacted, although he acknowledged it had been an “imperfect” agreement, noting there had been some issues of note since it was agreed to. Speaking specifically to the negotiations between the two countries, Schmidt stated he had reviewed the framework the US had developed regarding its intentions to the negotiations, saying he had some “serious questions.”
Specifically, Schmidt stated that “you want to make sure, of course, to end the fighting permanently.” However, he also says the United States needs to “Accomplish the objectives, which include a non-nuclear Iran.”
According to recent reports from the Pentagon, the war with Iran has cost taxpayers an estimated $29 billion, with that figure expected to rise, with the Pentagon having recently requested an additional $80 billion in funds to further assist with the situation. With this in mind, noting the American taxpayers have already incurred a significant financial burden as a result of the conflict, and the billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets that have been a piece of the ongoing negotiations, Schmidt stated he has suggested that it should fall on Iran to “pay the financial costs of the war.”
Schmidt concluded his comments on the matter, saying, “I’m hopeful we are on the right path, but we are keeping a close eye on it.”
