Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have criticized the agreement between the U.S. and Iran, arguing it provides Tehran with significant financial benefits without securing concessions in return. The criticism follows an attack on a cargo vessel off the coast of Oman and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Washington and Tehran. Blumenthal stated that Iran is "sending the world a message" that it controls the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil supply, and warned that the U.S. has lost its leverage by unfreezing assets and lifting sanctions.

The agreement includes a temporary 60-day general license issued by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for the production and export of Iranian oil. Schiff described the deal as a capitulation that weakens national security, noting that Iran gains access to $300 billion in reconstruction funds and the release of frozen assets. The administration has requested billions in additional funding for the ongoing conflict, a move that has drawn criticism from within GOP ranks.

Incident in the Strait of Hormuz

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center (UKMTO) reported an incident 8.6 miles off the coast of Dahit, Oman, where a cargo vessel was hit on the starboard side by an unknown projectile. The attack caused damage to the bridge but resulted in no casualties or environmental impact. The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have warned ships to navigate only through designated routes, stating that navigation outside these corridors is dangerous and prohibited.

Legislative Action

Separately, the Senate passed the Iran War Powers resolution by a vote of 50-48, directing the withdrawal of armed forces from the Iran war. The resolution received cross-voting support from Republican lawmakers, including Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), who voted "present" to avoid harming negotiations. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) stated that Congress acted to demand an end to the conflict. Iran has denied any new agreements with the U.S. regarding the return of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors.

European nations have thrown their support behind the US–Iran peace deal, hoping it will end months of conflict that have disrupted energy markets and raised gas prices. The UK, France, Germany, and Italy welcomed the deal as "a moment of opportunity to restore regional stability and stabilize the global economy," tying their cooperation to strict conditions. They are prepared to lift relevant sanctions in response to clear, verifiable steps by Iran on its nuclear program, emphasizing that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon. The four countries urged the rapid implementation of the agreement and stressed reopening the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions to protect growth and keep global energy flows moving without disruption.

The agreement lands at a moment when Europe’s economic resilience is fraying and its geopolitical leverage is shrinking. The deal offers Europe a narrow window to stabilize energy markets, though the region remains exposed to geopolitical shocks it cannot control. US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed an agreement on June 17 aimed at ending the conflict. The deal includes reopening the Strait, lifting sanctions, releasing frozen assets, and funding a major reconstruction package. It also creates a 60-day window for nuclear talks and guarantees temporary toll-free passage through the Strait. However, Iran announced a renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz on June 20, citing alleged Israeli ceasefire violations in Lebanon and Washington’s failure to implement key provisions of the agreement.

Disputed Terms and Asset Usage

Despite the diplomatic progress, significant disputes remain regarding the terms of the agreement. Iran's Central Bank Governor, as reported by Tasnim News Agency, pushed back on key aspects of the U.S. characterisation of the deal, stating that remaining frozen assets will not be limited to essential goods purchases and that Iran can use the funds to buy other non-sanctioned goods. The Governor further clarified that Tehran is not required to purchase U.S. agricultural goods under current agreements — directly contradicting earlier statements from US Vice President JD Vance, who had said released funds would be directed toward the purchase of American soy, corn, and wheat.

Vance had clarified that both the U.S. and Qatar would retain oversight and approval authority over how any unfrozen assets are spent, and rejected reports suggesting the funds would go to militant groups. Regarding nuclear oversight, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson had previously stated that Tehran has no plan to allow International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors to visit nuclear sites targeted during the recent conflict. Trump pushed back on Iran's position, stating that Iran is mistaken about IAEA inspectors and that there is no urgent need to deploy inspectors at this stage, framing the deployment as a matter of timing rather than an immediate requirement.

Economic Impact on Europe

The support for the agreement reflects deep concerns about the economic impact of the conflict on the Eurozone. Inflation across the region rose for five consecutive months as energy costs became the main driver of price pressures. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said staff now expect domestic demand to be weaker than projected in March, as the war has dented confidence and higher energy costs are weighing on real incomes. The Eurozone’s economy shrank by 0.2% in the first quarter, according to EUROSTAT data, marking the first contraction since Q4 2022 and the sharpest decline since mid-2020. Consumer confidence has moved lower for three straight months since February.

The S&P Global Flash Eurozone Composite PMI stayed below the 50.0 threshold in June, signaling continued contraction across the bloc. June’s 49.5 reading marked a third straight monthly decline in Eurozone business activity. The conflict exposed Europe’s economic vulnerability, as its energy security hinges on decisions made in Washington, Tehran, and Moscow. The disruption in liquified natural gas (LNG) supplies from the Gulf forced Europe to rely more heavily on alternative suppliers. Russian LNG imports rose 17% from January to May, while EU imports of US LNG rose 59% in 2025 and increased by a further 27% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, accounting for 57% of all LNG imports.

Energy Security and Market Reaction

Europe entered the crisis poorly positioned for disruptions despite efforts at energy security. The International Energy Agency (IEA) labeled the Iran conflict "the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market." Gas storage reached a four-year low as LNG disruptions worsened Europe’s supply situation. The EU’s total gas bill ballooned 48% during the crisis, while average prices rose 31% from the start of the war. Andrei Covatariu, a nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center, noted that inventories take a long time to be rebuilt and that even after a peace deal, repairs could take months or years, keeping supply tight and prices elevated.

As the talks gained momentum in Switzerland, crude oil and gas prices continued sliding. At the time of writing, Brent crude oil was trading 1.49% lower at $76.29 per barrel, while the average gas price in the U.S. fell to $3.92 per gallon according to the AAA. With energy security at stake, several European governments signaled readiness to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. France and Britain have been building a Hormuz escort coalition since March. French President Emmanuel Macron said he could deploy jets and frigates within days if requested by the US, Iran, and Oman, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said his country had already sent mine-clearing vessels.