Victor Davis Hanson dissects how critics completely misread the Iran deal

Historian Victor Davis Hanson called out critics of the newly signed U.S.-Iran preliminary agreement, arguing that they are misreading American leverage in negotiations.

Speaking on "Jesse Watters Primetime," Hanson disputed what he described as misconceptions about the deal and said the military conflict dismantled Iran’s infrastructure, leaving Tehran with no cards to play."They've suffered probably a half a trillion dollars to their nuclear military industrial complex that took them 50 years to build," Hanson said in response to what he called "unhinged" arguments that Iran is better off now than before the conflict.JD VANCE UNCOVERS HIDDEN THREAT TO AMERICAN WORKERS AS HE WARNS DEMOCRATS EMBRACE 'RADICAL FRINGES'The Trump administration’s memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran was released this week, laying out the terms of the deal reached by both parties for a 60-day ceasefire and a framework for negotiations.

The deal itself has drawn criticism from both sides of the political aisle, with critics arguing that it does not include aspects like an immediate dismantling of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure or the removal of enriched uranium stockpiles.Hanson also pushed back against critics who have cited difficulties moving oil out of the region due to Iranian actions in the Strait of Hormuz.LISA DAFTARI: HORMUZ WHIPLASH PROVES TEHRAN CAN'T HONOR ANY DEAL IT SIGNS"They keep saying, 'Well, the strait was open before, and now it was closed, and now we had to negotiate to get it open.'

It was only open because they chose not to cause trouble," he said."They chose to not cause trouble because the last seven presidents said, 'We don't dare touch you. We're not [going to] interfere with your nuclear programs.'"

Hanson argued that sanctions on Iran and its oil distribution efforts have put pressure on the Middle Eastern nation and given the U.S. leverage."

They think time is on Iran's side. Time is not on Iran's side," Hanson said, referencing the burden imposed by sancti