Republicans Oppose War Budget, Iran Talks Stalled... Trump Surrounded on All Sides (Comprehensive)

"Trump, Tensions Run High With Republicans"

Clashes Continue Over IAEA Inspections and Frozen Funds

AP Yonhap News

U.S. Republican lawmakers have voiced opposition to President Donald Trump's request for additional funding for the war with Iran. Even the Republican Party, which had been a strong supporter of Trump's Iran policy, has turned its back on the president as approval ratings have plummeted due to the Iran war. Negotiations with Iran are at a stalemate, with both sides clashing over core issues such as nuclear inspections and frozen funds, making it difficult to find common ground. With Israel also emphasizing its strategic independence and continuing its offensive against Lebanon, observers say President Trump is, quite literally, surrounded on all sides.

On June 24 (local time), CNN, citing sources, reported that "President Trump and Republican senators held a closed-door lunch and meeting that day, during which heated arguments broke out and the atmosphere turned hostile." The purpose of the meeting was for the Trump administration to seek Republican cooperation in requesting additional funding (USD 70 billion, approximately KRW 108 trillion) for the Iran war.

At the meeting, Republican lawmakers pointed out that the objectives set before the war had not been achieved, while President Trump reportedly expressed anger and dissatisfaction regarding the Senate vote the previous day on the Iran War Cessation Resolution. The resolution passed in the Senate the previous day with 50 votes in favor and 48 against. It finally passed on the tenth attempt, after some Republican senators voted in favor.

AP Yonhap News

Follow-up negotiations for ending the war with Iran are also progressing sluggishly. The United States and Iran held high-level and working-level talks over two days starting June 21, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a ceasefire agreement on June 14. However, key issues remain unresolved. The United States announced that Iran had agreed to resume nuclear inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), but Iran countered by saying this issue should be addressed in follow-up negotiations.

In an interview with Fox News that day, President Trump stated, "When the IAEA enters Iran to search for highly enriched uranium (HEU), American inspectors will join them." In response, Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, denied the reports, saying, "Claims that we have accepted IAEA inspections are not true. Whether inspections resume will be determined by the future course and outcome of negotiations."

The two sides have also failed to find common ground on the issue of Iran's frozen funds. That day, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared on CNBC and said, "A significant portion of Iran's frozen funds will be used for food purchases," adding, "The release of Iran's overseas frozen assets is likely to start in Qatar. U.S. Treasury officials based in Qatar will supervise how the funds are allocated." The Iranian side, however, is insisting that the frozen funds should be released immediately without any oversight.

For now, both sides are expected to resume negotiations after the 29th. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated at a press conference in Kuwait that day, "Negotiation teams will meet again on the 29th or 30th," warning, "If they do not keep their promises, President Donald Trump has options."

Meanwhile, Israel, which participated in the war with Iran alongside the United States, has declared its intention to continue attacking Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during an event in Tel Aviv that day, "Before launching military operations against Iran last year, I notified President Trump of the attack but did not seek his permission," emphasizing, "As long as I am prime minister, there will never be a withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.