Senator Marshall: No Forever Wars, No Nukes, & The Strait Stays Open

Senator Marshall Joins The Brian Kilmeade Show on Fox Radio

New York City - U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined Fox Radio's Brian Kilmeade Show in studio to discuss the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran and the next steps towards lasting peace in the Middle East. Senator Marshall emphasized that the Trump Administration's approach is focused on preventing a nuclear-armed Iran, avoiding another prolonged conflict, keeping critical shipping lanes open, and lowering energy costs for American families.

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On the memorandum of understanding with Iran:

"You know, I am. I think at the end of the day, what it does is no forever wars, no nukes, the straits stay open, and it's going to bring the cost of gas and groceries down. All this leads to a safer America. So, this agreement delivers all that."

On tolls on the Strait of Hormuz:

"Look, I've had discussions privately with Vice President Vance and just talked to Jared and Steve Witkoff before they left as well. We will not sign any agreement that allows that type of thing."

On countries in the Middle East assisting with a peace deal:

"Well, regardless, they're not going to sign that document. But beyond that, what I'm excited about is this regional approach. I think that's something that the Persian Gulf countries should be able to police and keep Iran in check as well. Look, we've defanged Iran now, so certainly those Persian Gulf countries can now step up and help control that situation.

"I think that they will be involved in these negotiations. I look at it like we're going down three roads right now. One road is dealing with nukes, one road dealing with Lebanon, and then a third is the regional approach to all these other issues, whether it's funding terrorism, missiles, whatever it is. We need some regional supervision of Iran, if you will."

On frozen Iranian funds and humanitarian efforts:

"Brian, I'm not a lawyer, you can read that forward, but I can assure you that we're not releasing any of those funds without a trust-and-verify situation. And right now, what's going to happen - the first five hundred billion dollars, if it was released, as long as the Strait stays open, it will be for humanitarian efforts. Again, this regional approach to approving them, and the United States can veto any of that money. So, I think that Iran will use this money to buy agriculture products from Kansas. I really think that there'll be significant supervision over all this."

"I think that's what's going to happen - that's what the Vice President is saying this morning as well. So, I think, again, there'll be significant supervision where the United States can veto any way that this money would be used. It has to be used for humanitarian efforts right now."

On dealing with Iran's enriched uranium

"So, this is an opportunity to turn swords into plowshares. We can take this enriched uranium that's probably 60% enriched and de-blend it, so to speak, down to a lower enrichment. And again, this is just the first step."

"Well, we're going to supervise it, so we get it down to the 20%. But let me finish. And then what can happen is we can take that 20% uranium, send it to Russia, and they can turn that into nuclear energy. This is only a half a ton of uranium right now, that we're dealing with. Russia took 500 tons from their nuclear weapons and turned it into nuclear energy, so there's a precedent for this. Again, this is just the first step."

"My goal is to get all the uranium out of there. The first step is to de-blend it, so to speak, and then get it out of there. So, again, we need this regional supervision to help make sure this happens."

On America's relationship with Israel:

"Brian, I've supported Israel as strongly as anybody since I was in grade school."

"So, I certainly was taught he who blesses Israel will be blessed, right? I think it's a very fine line they're walking. I would describe Jared and Steve both as very pro-Israel type of people. I think that dealing with the Lebanon situation is probably the tinderbox that we're all worried about."

"Yeah, certainly I'm pro-Israel, but I'm absolutely America First. And again, I just keep going back to these major goals: no more forever wars, no nukes for Iran, open the Strait, and cheaper gas and groceries for Americans. We have to maintain that as our goal. Look, you and I know this war has been going on for hundreds, if not thousands of years."

On a possible demilitarized zone solution:

"Yeah, and he should get credit for that - the first one in 47 years to take it on. But what I'm excited about is this demilitarized zone. You and I have both been to that Israel border with Lebanon. Setting up some type of a demilitarized zone there seems like a great solution - it's exactly what we came up with in Korea, with the 38th parallel there under President Eisenhower. So, I think that this is a great opportunity.

"Well, I think that's what they're reporting out of the talks last night. They stayed up all night in talks of how do we solve the Lebanon problem. That's the great thing about this agreement - one of the great things - is it included Lebanon in the discussion, rather than ignoring it. So, the solution they're discussing is some type of a demilitarized zone between those two countries."

"Yeah, and you're not exaggerating. Again, I've seen those tunnels as well - it's just amazing how far and how deep they can tunnel. And then Hezbollah goes in there to these little communities in southern Lebanon and they have military forces within there. So, I do not criticize Israel for responding and going in there and attacking Hezbollah. But now maybe we can work on this demilitarized zone, and we have a longer-lasting peace. You know, the Korea DMZ has stood since 1952-53 or so. So that's the only solution that I see will work."

On Vice President Vance as negotiator:

"I think they're playing a little good cop, bad cop at times. I think this will be JD Vance's finest moment. I think he's got a really solid head on his shoulders, he's an excellent negotiator, he is America First as well. Again, he stays focused on those goals: no forever wars, no nukes, keep the straits open, and affordable gas and groceries for Americans. So, I think they certainly agree on the same goals especially."

On critics of the memorandum of understanding:

"Yeah, you know, I have great respect for all these people. The great thing about the Republican Party is 53 senators, 53 opinions right now. I just disagree with them. And look - if this agreement doesn't work out, if Iran doesn't dot the i's and cross the t's, we will blow them back to the dark ages. But I hope that doesn't have to happen. Really, it's up to Iran now what's going to happen next, I think that this gives them an opportunity. And again, we've defanged Iran, we have the opportunity for those Gulf countries to rally around the situation, and police these people. And if they don't do it, then you win, and we get to go blow up Iran. But I hope it doesn't come to that."

On the future of Iran if they refuse a peace deal:

"Yes - but no boots on the ground. I want to preface that: no boots on the ground, no American troops on the ground. I grew up in the Vietnam era, I saw too many young boys in flag-draped coffins. When Desert Storm started, I was a lieutenant in the Army. That war went on for decades. No forever wars. So, no boots on the ground. What I hate about this bigger bombing is there's going to be civilian casualties, and we're just basically flaming that fire of terrorism."

"Should this be America's issue? Again, we've defanged Iran - I think I've said that a couple of times - why can't the Gulf countries go in there and take care of their own situation right now? Why does it have to be American troops? We've already lost 13 American soldiers, basically defending Israel for the most part. And getting rid of nuclear weapons, that's our benefit here as well."

"They are absolutely a threat to America. I'm still mourning the loss of those 13 soldiers. As a former officer in the military and as a senator, I feel responsible for the death of every soldier that we have right now. And I can't imagine that any of us want our sons, grandsons, or daughters dying for this situation."

"Yeah, and I think what you're talking about is history is often the judge of these decisions. I try not to stay focused on what the press is going to say tonight - like Eisenhower I try to stay focused on what happens in 10, 20, or 30 years. So, again, my goal is that the American people would be safer for decades to come - this agreement gives us the best opportunity to get there."

On the importance of verifying an agreement:

"Trust but verify. And Brian, I don't want to sound like I'm an Iran apologist. I don't trust them, I don't think the President trusts them, I do think that this is their last chance. But again, I'm counting on the Gulf countries to step up. And, by the way, this agreement ends up with a UN Security Resolution, so Iran has to sign that. There will be some type of a UN Security Resolution, so I'm trying to bring in the rest of the world. Why does America have to be the babysitter for the entire world?"

"That's been a few years ago. I think it's time for European countries to step up and do their part - we got our hands full with China."

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