Rep. Burchett to Newsmax: No Money for Iran

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Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., told Newsmax on Tuesday he is opposed to giving Iran any money as part of a peace agreement.

"I don't get it," Burchett said on "Finnerty." "I don't understand why we can't get control of our own money and keep it within our country.

"These people will hate us for free," he added. "There is no reason for us to be involved."

The Trump administration is considering backing the creation of a massive $300 billion reconstruction and investment fund for Iran if Tehran fulfills commitments under a newly signed memorandum of understanding and ultimately reaches a broader settlement on its nuclear program and regional conduct.

President Donald Trump has called reports that the U.S. will pay Iran $300 billion "fake news," but Vice President JD Vance and others confirmed the establishment of a global fund paid by an international coalition to aid Tehran as real.

The Tennessee lawmaker said we need to ensure Iran does not have access to material that would allow it to develop nuclear weapons.

"If we think they're trying to access it, we need to stop it," Burchett said. "But until then, I just think we need to wash our hands of this place and get the heck out. The Middle East is a quagmire.

"I can't see it anywhere being a good deal," Burchett said. "I think you're seeing it'll be a lot of the other countries over there involved in it."

"We export energy right now. I still don't see why gas is going up," Burchett added. "I realize it's a commodity and I'm an uneducated redneck, but the oil companies are just using this to gouge us."

Sam Barron

Sam Barron has almost two decades of experience covering a wide range of topics including politics, crime and business.

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