{"id":132644,"date":"2026-05-27T03:15:18","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T03:15:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/132644\/"},"modified":"2026-05-27T03:15:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T03:15:18","slug":"sen-durbin-is-hopeful-but-skeptical-of-trump-closing-iran-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/132644\/","title":{"rendered":"Sen. Durbin is hopeful, but skeptical, of Trump closing Iran deal"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a visit to Bloomington-Normal on Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin<\/a> energized McLean County Democrats at a private event at the IBEW Local 197 building.<\/p>\n

Durbin, hosted by the McLean County Democrats<\/a>, spoke to a crowd of about 50 supporters about his views on issues like the war with Iran and redistricting, while reflecting on his upcoming retirement, and offering advice to McLean County candidates.<\/p>\n

Iran<\/p>\n

NPR reported over the weekend that President Trump said the U.S. and Iran were close to reaching a deal on key issues, particularly over sanctions and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The hopes for a deal were diminished after renewed U.S. strikes and Israel intensifying its attacks in Lebanon.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope that he\u2019ll reach an agreement, a negotiated settlement and the end of this needless war as quickly as possible, but I am skeptical,\u201d Durbin told WGLT in an interview for Sound Ideas<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has promised over and over again that he\u2019s either going to wipe Iran off the face of the earth or he\u2019s got some positive negotiations,\u201d he said, adding, \u201cI just don\u2019t understand how he can say that contradictory thing and expect the American people to believe it.\u201d <\/p>\n

Before Congress went on the Memorial Day break, a resolution to compel President Trump to withdraw from Iran had been scheduled for a vote. GOP leaders pulled the vote<\/a> amid speculation that it had enough votes to pass.<\/p>\n

\"Dick<\/p>\n

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin delivered remarks to the crowd of about 50 supporters.<\/p>\n

\u201cArticle One, Section Eight of the [U.S.] Constitution is very clear. Only Congress can declare war,\u201d said Durbin. \u201cThis president is ignoring it at his peril. He didn\u2019t consult with NATO, he didn\u2019t consult with the American people, he didn\u2019t consult with Congress, and now we\u2019re in a war that has already claimed 14 American lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what it\u2019s going to mean in the long haul, but this strategy of the Straits of Hormuz has driven gasoline prices through the roof.\u201d<\/p>\n

Earlier this month, Bloomington saw its gas prices jump<\/a> more than 60 cents in one week, to an average of $4.82 per gallon.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a real hardship on families and businesses,\u201d said Durbin, who is not seeking reelection in November after 30 years in office.<\/p>\n

Redistricting<\/p>\n

In his remarks to county Democrats, Durbin warned them of the coming November election. He said, \u201cI don\u2019t put anything past him,\u201d referring to Trump.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am fearful that they will bring down the electoral process that we have in this country that has served us so well,\u201d he told the crowd.<\/p>\n

South Carolina lawmakers rejected a redistricting map Tuesday, according to NPR<\/a>. The state joined several that redistricted to favor one party, a fight the president started in Texas last year<\/a>.<\/p>\n

WGLT asked Durbin what more Democrats could be doing to ensure their victories.<\/p>\n

\u201cVote, vote, vote,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe bottom line is, they are trying to intimidate voters to the point where they won\u2019t participate. I believe they will, just to prove him wrong. People died for our right to vote, we should never take it for granted.\u201d<\/p>\n

2024 Democratic autopsy<\/p>\n

In a 192-page document, the Democratic National Committee has released its report on the 2024 election. The report, which details what went wrong and how the party lost the presidency, is referred to as an \u201cautopsy.\u201d<\/p>\n

The report, according to NPR<\/a>, said former President Joe Biden and the White House \u201cdid not position or prepare\u201d former Vice President Kamala Harris properly before the election.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it comes to the leadership of our nation and the role of the Democratic Party, I\u2019m looking forward, not backward,\u201d said Durbin, adding that is where his priorities are.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to read an autopsy report, I want to read a plan to win,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to win this coming election and two years after that; that\u2019s the bottom line.\u201d<\/p>\n

Durbin did comment about the possibility of Gov. J.B. Pritzker running for president in 2028. <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I think if you entertain the thought, it\u2019s a serious thought, and I think he\u2019s entertained it, but he has work to do to get reelected as governor, and he should never take that for granted,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"Dick<\/p>\n

Sen. Dick Durbin signed a T-shirt worn by McLean County Board Vice Chair Jim Rogal’s daughter. It was from his first Senate campaign in 1996. <\/p>\n

Trump\u2019s GOP picks<\/p>\n

In recent Republican primary elections, including in Louisiana and Kentucky, Trump has backed candidates and succeeded in toppling high-profile incumbents who have not consistently supported him.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday, Republican primary voters in Texas decided incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn did not deserve another term. Attorney General Ken Paxton was elected in the race called just after 8 p.m. CDT.<\/p>\n

Durbin spoke to WGLT before the Texas primary results<\/a> were called. <\/p>\n

\u201cAn opportunity to take Texas for the first time in three decades,\u201d he said. \u201cWe have an excellent candidate in State Sen. [James] Talarico, and I think what the president has done by endorsing [Ken] Paxton is to divide the Republican Party in Texas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow we got to seize the opportunity and win this election.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Trump endorsed the controversial Paxton, Democratic nominee James Talarico won his primary election back in March.<\/p>\n

Durbin said he is hopeful with him as the party’s Senate candidate. Democrats have not won statewide office in the Lone Star State since 1994.<\/p>\n

\u201cI listen to him. I don\u2019t know him, never met him personally, but he has such insights into important issues,\u201d said Durbin. \u201cHe\u2019s just the kind of person we need as a candidate.\u201d<\/p>\n

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