Hillary Clinton Says Iran Deserves No Thanks For Releasing American Detainees

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Hillary Clinton responded to Iran’s release of four Americans who were unjustly imprisoned by saying that Iran deserves no thanks, and is still violating UN Security Council resolutions with its ballistic missile program.

In a statement, Clinton said:

I am greatly relieved by the safe return of American prisoners from Iran. Their families and our country have waited and prayed for this day to come.

I also welcome the full implementation of the nuclear agreement, an important achievement of diplomacy backed by pressure. Implementation marks an important step forward in preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Iran has dismantled centrifuges, disabled a reactor, and shipped out almost all of its enriched uranium. These are important steps that make the United States, our allies, and the entire world safer. I congratulate President Obama and his team, and I’m proud of the role I played to get this process started.

But we shouldn’t thank Iran for the prisoners or for following through on its obligations. These prisoners were held unjustly by a regime that continues to threaten the peace and security of the Middle East. Another American, Bob Levinson, still isn’t home with his family. The treatment of our Navy sailors earlier this week was offensive, including the release of a demeaning and provocative video. Iran is still violating UN Security Council resolutions with its ballistic missile program, which should be met with new sanctions designations and firm resolve.

So we can’t take our eye off the ball. As President, my approach will be to distrust and verify. I will vigorously enforce the nuclear deal as part of a comprehensive strategy that confronts all of Iran’s negative actions in the region and stand side-by-side with our ally Israel and our Arab partners.

Clinton took a hardline position with Iran. Iran doesn’t deserve thanks for releasing innocent people that never should have been held in the first place, but it is clear diplomacy works. Clinton’s position is still an adversary.

The Republican position that Iran is a war waiting to happen is completely unacceptable. Clinton is going to be viewing Iran with a skeptical eye, but willing to enforce the agreement on the nuclear deal.

The contrast is obvious. Hillary Clinton sounds like a president while the Republican candidates are engaging in the uninformed cowboy clownery of George W. Bush.

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Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

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Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association

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