Witness skeptical of Iran's reported agreement, defends U.S. restraint

A witness told the House Committee on Foreign Affairs that Iranian media denials undermine claims that Tehran has agreed to terms in recent talks and defended the president's decision to hold off on immediate strikes. "I have never in my life witnessed a time where Iran has given me a reason to trust them," the witness said, expressing deep skepticism about Tehran's public statements.

The questioner read statements attributed to Iranian media rejecting U.S.-backed proposals and denying reports that Iran agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. "There is no agreement regarding the reopening of the Strait Of Hormuz," the questioner said, citing the Iranian coverage and a denial of an Israeli Channel 12 report. The witness said Iran frequently seeks to project strength and will deny reports that could be seen as evidence of weakness.

The witness praised what he described as an "off ramp" offered by the president but added that American restraint is paired with a readiness to act if Iran breaks a deal. "If they do anything to us, if they break deals, they're being reeducated that he will respond disproportionately and make sure they stop breathing," the witness said, characterizing the administration's approach as deterrence through both diplomacy and credible force.

The witness also said he could not disclose classified details about negotiations but argued that the president's public comments on making a deal reflected direct contact with Iranian counterparts. The exchange left open the question raised by the questioner about how to reconcile public denials from Iranian outlets with U.S. statements that talks are near agreement.