Conservative radio host Mark Levin tore into a reported U.S. proposal to end the conflict with Iran, branding it a potential catastrophe if enacted. The sharp criticism came after Axios published details of a one-page draft memorandum, just a day after President Trump ordered a halt to a naval operation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The 14-point framework, as described by Axios, would require Iran to stop its nuclear enrichment activities. In exchange, the United States would lift sanctions, and both nations would relinquish control over the strategic waterway. Levin dismissed the report as likely fabricated, but warned that even a partial version would be ruinous.
“I have to believe the Axios report is largely fake,” Levin wrote Wednesday on X. “If the Axios report is close to accurate, the Iranian regime will survive, the Iranian people will face even more extensive brutality, and the Israeli government could fall in the October election. A disastrous result.”
Conservative commentator Hugh Hewitt joined the assault, calling the reported terms a “terrible deal.” In his own X post Wednesday, Hewitt demanded far stricter conditions: “I hope the terms of any deal would be significantly stricter: No enrichment, ever. HEU to us stat,” he said, referring to highly enriched uranium.
The memo is designed as a preliminary agreement, with a more detailed peace accord to be hammered out over 30 days, according to Axios. The outlet reported that the U.S. expects Iran to respond to “several key points” within 48 hours. A Pakistani official, whose government has been mediating the talks, confirmed the leak’s accuracy to Reuters on Wednesday.
President Trump appeared to acknowledge elements of the draft in a Truth Social post the same day. “Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran,” he wrote. “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.”
The proposal has already drawn fire from other quarters. Senator Marco Rubio dismissed any deal that lacks nuclear concessions, while Iranian officials have reportedly labeled the U.S. offer a “wish list.” The internal GOP split over the terms mirrors broader conservative unease about engaging Tehran, especially with Israeli elections looming in October.
Critics argue that lifting sanctions without ironclad verification could allow Iran to rebuild its economy while maintaining a breakout capability. Levin’s warning that the deal would “prop up the regime” resonates with hawks who see any concession as a reward for aggression. The coming days will test whether the administration can sell the framework to a skeptical Congress and a wary public.
