Adam Smith

Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., on Saturday criticized the Trump administration's approach to Iran, arguing that ongoing negotiations with Tehran do not compare favorably to the Obama-era nuclear agreement that the president and many Republicans have long condemned.

Appearing on Newsmax TV's "Saturday Report," Smith rejected suggestions that the current understanding with Iran represents an improvement over the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, negotiated during former President Barack Obama's administration.

"No, I mean, there's no deal," Smith said when asked whether the current arrangement is better than the Obama-era agreement.

"Iran has agreed to absolutely nothing about their nuclear weapons program."

Smith argued that the JCPOA achieved its primary objective of curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions, while current negotiations have yet to produce similar commitments from Tehran.

"So I don't see how anyone can claim that this deal is better than the JCPOA, which actually did stop Iran's development of a nuclear weapon," he said.

The congressman also questioned whether the United States has gained any strategic advantage from military action and subsequent negotiations involving Iran.

"There's no deal here. Iran has not agreed to anything on the nuclear weapons," Smith said.

"We are negotiating over getting the Strait back open, which was open before the war even started," he said.

Smith appeared to be referring to efforts to restore normal shipping and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy supplies that has faced disruptions amid tensions in the region.

The Washington Democrat said he remains unconvinced that the United States is in a stronger position than it was before the conflict escalated.

"Someone's going to have to help me out here in how we're better off than we were when we started this very, very costly war just a few months ago," Smith said.

President Donald Trump has defended his administration's handling of Iran and has argued that increased pressure on Tehran has weakened the regime and improved America's negotiating position.

The JCPOA, reached in 2015 between Iran, the United States, and other world powers, placed restrictions on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement during his first term, calling it flawed and insufficient to prevent Iran from ultimately obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Debate over the effectiveness of the Obama-era accord and the administration's current negotiations with Iran continues to divide lawmakers as officials pursue a broader agreement aimed at addressing Tehran's nuclear activities and regional behavior.

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