WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today urged the Biden Administration to suspend indirect negotiations with the Iranians in Vienna after four Iranian intelligence officials attempted to kidnap an American-based journalist:
“Iran’s brazen attempt to kidnap an American journalist on U.S. soil is appalling and demonstrates just how little regard the Iranian regime has for ongoing negotiations. This level of criminality, in addition to Iran’s continued unlawful detainment of American nationals and increased number of Iranian-sponsored attacks against our troops and diplomats in Iraq and Syria, and now Americans on U.S. soil, exposes just how bankrupt the Iranian regime truly is.
“I remain deeply concerned with the administration's inability to address the Iranian challenge. In light of all that is happening and the long list of Iranian offenses, it’s time for the administration to suspend the ongoing indirect negotiations with the Iranians.”
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