Senator Risch Meets with Iranian-American Journalist Masih Alinejad

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, yesterday met with Masih Alinejad, the Iranian-American journalist who was targeted in an Iranian kidnapping plot.

“It was an honor to meet Masih Alinejad yesterday,” said Senator Risch. “The Iranian regime’s attempt to kidnap her on U.S. soil in order to silence dissent proves just how far the regime is willing to go to spread its terror agenda. This is just the latest of Iran’s long list of offenses, including the unlawful detention of American nationals, numerous lethal attacks against our troops and diplomats abroad, and cyber espionage campaigns targeting our military. The administration cannot continue to view a regime that threatens the lives of American citizens as a serious negotiator. The administration must suspend its negotiations in Vienna and expand discussions to include all facets of Iran’s malevolent conduct.”

“I was glad to meet Senator Risch yesterday and thank him for his vocal support for me, and for the Iranian people,” said Masih Alinejad. “This plot by the Islamic Republic to kidnap me from my home in Brooklyn is not just about me, it is an attack on us all, it is an assault on U.S. sovereignty. If we do not deter Tehran, if we do not impose consequences, then we are likely to face further such peril because flagrant disregard for international law is in the nature of the Islamic Republic.”

###