Transcript: Mike Waltz on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," June 21, 2026

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz defended an interim deal with Iran aimed at preventing the country from acquiring nuclear weapons, asserting it strikes a balance between security and economic benefits. Speaking on CBS's "Face the Nation," Waltz highlighted that the agreement has contributed to lower gas prices, falling below $4 per barrel, a stark contrast to earlier predictions of prices exceeding $150.

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Of course, we all want lower gas prices, they are lower, below $4 and falling with more work to do.

"Of course, we all want lower gas prices, they are lower, below $4 and falling with more work to do," Waltz stated. He contrasted the current prices with those under the Biden administration and noted that analysts had previously warned of oil prices reaching $150 to $200 per barrel. Waltz emphasized that President Trump's approach ensures a "genocidal regime" cannot obtain nuclear weapons while simultaneously working towards cheaper energy.

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We'll remember just a few months ago when analysts were saying oil would be upwards of $150 to $200 dollars a barrel. And it is not- it's now under $80.

Despite acknowledging that senior members of Trump's national security team, including Secretary Rubio, harbor doubts about Iran's compliance with the deal's terms, Waltz maintained that the administration is taking a pragmatic approach. He addressed concerns about Vice President Pence meeting with Speaker Ghalibaf, a figure linked to Iran's missile program and the crackdown on protesters. Waltz conceded that none of the Iranian regime's officials are "good guys" but stressed that the administration is pursuing direct talks, a step he claims no previous administration has achieved.

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Of course, everyone wants cheaper energy, but what President Trump is doing is striking that balance with also ensuring that a genocidal regime that none of us trust can never have a nuclear weapon, and that process is underway right now as we speak.

"None of these senior members of this genocidal regime are good guys by any means," Waltz said. "But, at the end of the day, the administration, our administration, is taking a pragmatic approach. This is who the r" He concluded that direct engagement, however difficult, is necessary to achieve the goal of a nuclear-free Iran.

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Well, number one, this is a step forward that no other administration has ever been able to do, and that's have direct talks. None of these senior members of this genocidal regime are good guys by any means, they certainly wouldn't pass an FBI background check. No one expects that. But, at the end of the day, the administration, our administration, is taking a pragmatic approach.