00:00U.S. Senate rejects War Powers Resolution as Iran deal faces hurdles over Lebanon and
00:06Reconstruction, Washington. June 16th. The United States Senate has rejected a House-passed
00:13resolution seeking to limit President Donald Trump's war powers regarding military action
00:18against Iran, as a landmark peace agreement between Washington and Tehran faces new complications
00:24over Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and the terms of a $300 billion Reconstruction fund.
00:30The Senate vote on Tuesday was 48-47, with four Republicans joining most Democrats in supporting
00:37the War Powers Resolution. The measure fell short of the majority needed to advance it.
00:43War Powers Resolution. Senate rejects ninth attempt. The resolution, introduced by Senator Raphael
00:50Warnock, Democrat of Georgia, would have required President Trump to halt military action against
00:55Iran and seek congressional approval before any future operations. The House had passed its own
01:02version earlier this month, with a vote of 215-208, marking the first time the lower chamber approved
01:09such a measure.
01:10Join me in putting a check on this president's lawless warmongering, Senator Warnock urged before
01:16the vote. This marked the ninth time senators have attempted to advance a resolution to
01:21end the war that the U.S. and Israel launched against Iran on February 28th. The conflict
01:27has now lasted 109 days. Republicans Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Rand Paul of
01:34Kentucky, and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana voted in favor, while Democratic Senator John Fetterman
01:40of Pennsylvania voted against. Senator Tom Tillis, Republican of North Carolina, explained his
01:46opposition, stating he supports Trump's military actions and is closely watching details of the
01:52administration's Iran deal.
01:54I just don't think that it's productive for me to cast a protest vote on something that I fundamentally
01:59support, Tillis said. With the Senate rejecting the measure, President Trump does not need to use his
02:05veto power. The administration had actively lobbied against the resolution, with Secretary of State
02:11Marco Rubio warning that curtailing presidential powers would undermine U.S. negotiation positions.
02:17The War Powers Act of 1973 allows the president to use military force for 60 days without congressional
02:24approval, after which the deadline can be extended. Trump has argued that the ceasefire declared on April
02:308th effectively reset this timeline. Iran Deal, Lebanon and Reconstruction at Center of Disputes
02:37As the June 19th signing ceremony in Geneva approaches, the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding
02:44faces significant hurdles. Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon
02:48Iran's top diplomat, Foreign Minister Abbas Arakji, has insisted that the tentative deal requires Israel to
02:55withdraw from southern Lebanon, a condition Israel has already rejected. Without the withdrawal of Israeli
03:01forces from the territories they occupied during this war, the war has not fully come to an end,
03:07Arakji told reporters. However, a U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity said the deal did
03:13not call for an Israeli withdrawal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel
03:19would remain in Lebanon as long as necessary. Regional officials with direct knowledge of the interim
03:25agreement told the Associated Press that the accord would require Israel to leave nearly all the
03:30territory it occupies in Lebanon, minus a few hilltop points along the border seized earlier.
03:36Iran insisted on including Lebanon in the final days of negotiations. Hezbollah has welcomed the
03:42framework agreement and congratulated Iran for securing a comprehensive ceasefire. This great achievement
03:49is the result of the legendary steadfastness, exceptional resilience, and immense sacrifices made
03:55by the Iranian people, the group said in a statement. However, Hezbollah demanded a complete Israeli
04:00withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory, stating it would not accept any violation of Lebanon's
04:06sovereignty. The Lebanon issue has created tension between Washington and Jerusalem. President Trump
04:13told reporters Tuesday he was not happy with the way Israel has handled themselves with Lebanon and with
04:18Hezbollah, adding that Israel's strategy just goes on forever. The $300 billion fund, truth or fake news?
04:28Confusion surrounds the $300 billion reconstruction fund reported to be part of the agreement.
04:33President Trump has strongly denied the reports, writing on Truth Social. Iran has agreed to never have a
04:40nuclear weapon. Also, the story that the U.S. is paying Iran $300 million is fake news put out by
04:46the
04:46Democrats. However, Vice President J.D. Vance had earlier suggested that Iran could have access to
04:53a $300 billion reconstruction fund if it complies with the terms of the deal, with funding expected
04:58to come from Gulf nations. That's the sort of thing they could have access to, funded by the Gulf Coast
05:04Coalition, so long as they honor their end of the obligation, Vance said in a CBS interview.
05:10A senior U.S. official briefing reporter said,
05:14We discussed the possibility of releasing frozen funds, sanctions relief, you know, a big $300 billion
05:20fund to rebuild their country, and all of these things are going to be tied to performance.
05:26Vance later clarified that Iran would not receive cash simply for signing the agreement.
05:32The deal is structured to ensure that the U.S. and its allies' concerns are prioritized,
05:37and that if the Islamic Republic of Iran meets its obligations,
05:41then economic benefits will flow to them and to the entire region, he wrote on X.
05:46The draft agreement. 14 points. According to leaked drafts of the Memorandum of Understanding,
05:53the agreement includes 14 key points. Immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities on all fronts,
06:00including Lebanon. Mutual commitment to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity.
06:0560-day negotiation period for a final agreement, extendable by mutual consent.
06:11U.S. to lift naval blockade and restore maritime traffic within 30 days.
06:17Iran to clear mines and restore commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
06:22The U.S. with regional partners to develop a $300 billion economic reconstruction fund for Iran.
06:29Gradual lifting of sanctions, including U.N. resolutions and unilateral U.S. sanctions.
06:35Iran reaffirms it will never develop nuclear weapons, uranium, and nuclear issues to be addressed in final agreement.
06:42Status quo maintained. Iran's current nuclear program continues. U.S. imposes no new sanctions.
06:49Treasury Department waivers for Iranian crude oil, petrochemicals exports.
06:54Release of frozen Iranian assets as final agreement progresses.
06:59Monitoring mechanism for implementation.
07:01Full implementation contingent on Provisions 4, 5, 10, and 11.
07:07Final agreement to be adopted by binding U.N. Security Council resolution.
07:12The Path to Geneva
07:14The official signing ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 19th, in Geneva, Switzerland.
07:21Iranian officials have confirmed the attendance of Foreign Minister Abbas Arakji,
07:25who has been a key leader in the negotiations.
07:28Pakistani Prime Minister Shabazz Sharif, who served as key mediator,
07:33announced Sunday that both sides have declared an immediate and permanent end to military operations on all fronts.
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