Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., one of the Senate's most prominent advocates for military action against Iran, expressed skepticism about the ceasefire deal announced just hours before President Donald Trump's deadline, calling the negotiating document to have "troubling aspects."
The two-week ceasefire, brokered Tuesday night, pauses military operations that began as part of Operation Epic Fury. The deal comes as Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner prepare to travel to Islamabad for in-person negotiations on a broader peace agreement.
The first round of talks is scheduled for Saturday morning local time, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Wednesday.
Iran publicly presented a 10-point plan that includes repayment for war damage, the ability to continue enriching uranium, full control of the Strait of Hormuz, and an end to all sanctions against the country in exchange for agreeing not to develop a nuclear weapon.
What the Right Is Saying
Graham, who has long supported military action against the Iranian regime, said he is not sold on the current ceasefire arrangement but acknowledged that a diplomatic solution remains the preferred outcome.
"The supposed negotiating document, in my view, has some troubling aspects, but time will tell," Graham said on Wednesday. "I look forward to the architects of this proposal, the vice president and others, coming before Congress and explaining how a negotiated deal meets our national security objectives in Iran."
Trump has already criticized Iran's 10-point proposal on Truth Social, writing: "There is only one group of meaningful 'POINTS' that are acceptable to the United States, and we will be discussing them behind closed doors during these negotiations. These are the POINTS that are the basis on which we agreed to a CEASEFIRE."
Graham has argued Iran should not be allowed to maintain any nuclear enrichment program, saying the only acceptable deal is "a deal that will stop their maniacal drive to a nuclear weapon, among other things."
Vance has warned that Iran will "find out" Trump is "not one to mess around with" if the ceasefire deal falls apart.
What the Left Is Saying
Senate Democrats have been demanding transparency around the administration's Iran strategy, with some threatening to grind Senate proceedings to a halt until public hearings are held. Democrats have called for Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to testify before Congress about the war.
The demand for congressional oversight mirrors concerns raised by Graham, who has also called on administration officials to brief lawmakers on the ceasefire deal.
White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly said the administration has provided more than 20 bipartisan briefings for members of Congress since before Operation Epic Fury began. "We are far along on a definitive agreement to deliver long-term peace in Iran and across the region," Kelly said in a statement.
What the Numbers Show
The ceasefire is set to last two weeks, with the first in-person negotiations scheduled for Saturday in Islamabad. The administration has provided more than 20 bipartisan congressional briefings on military operations since before the operation began.
Iran's 10-point proposal includes demands for full control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, and the ability to continue uranium enrichment. The country has also demanded repayment for war damage and an end to all sanctions.
Trump's threat to target Iranian bridges and power plants remains on hold while the broader peace agreement is negotiated.
The Bottom Line
The two-week ceasefire marks a temporary de-escalation in the U.S.-Iran conflict, but significant gaps remain between American and Iranian positions. Graham and congressional Democrats both want more information about the deal from the administration, though for different reasons.
Vance, Witkoff and Kushner's upcoming trip to Islamabad will be critical in determining whether a longer-term agreement can be reached. The White House has indicated it is "far along" in negotiations, but Trump's public rejection of Iran's opening proposal suggests substantial hurdles remain. The next two weeks will test whether diplomatic progress can be made or whether military tensions will resume.