Contact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353
Washington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement regarding the Wall Street Journal report that Administration officials simultaneously signed agreements to pay Iran $1.7 billion, lift sanctions on Iranian banks, and arrange the release of U.S. hostages. The agreements were signed by the same officials, in the same place, at the same time in a clear quid pro quo:
"This report gives lie to the Administration's claim that it did not pay $1.7 billion in ransom to Iran. Parallel agreements to release the hostages, to pay the $1.7 billion, and to lift sanctions on Iranian banks were signed on the same morning, in the same conference room, by the same people. This is blatant quid pro quo, and it is an insult to the intelligence of the American people for the President to continue to deny it. This ransom payment is another manifestation of President Obama's congenital need to appease Iran's ayatollahs, a condition that has made all Americans less safe. When the Senate is back in session, I will work with my colleagues to make sure administration officials--including Brett McGurk--are called to testify publicly about their role in this shameful charade."
