Contact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353

Washington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on new reports that Iran has deployed the Russian-supplied S-300 missiles at its Fordow nuclear site:

"This is yet another indication that the Administration's Iran policy is only emboldening the ayatollahs in Tehran. Anyone outside of the echo chamber is probably wondering why a nuclear program that exists ostensibly for peaceful purposes and under the ‘transparency' promised by the JCPOA needs an advanced, defensive weapon system deployed around it. Good question. Had the Obama Administration not rushed to dismantle the international sanctions restraining Iran's belligerence in the Middle East in pursuit of a legacy, Iran would not have been able to acquire and deploy such destabilizing weapons. This is a clear indication of Iran's intent to preserve its ability to build a nuclear weapon even while it claims to comply with the JCPOA. The fruits of President Obama's irresponsible policies will only limit the international community's options to respond to Iranian nuclear violations."

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