Pittenger: Iran provokes, Obama gives cash

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IRAN CONTINUES AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR AS PRESIDENT OBAMA PROVIDES TERROR-SPONSOR WITH $1.7 BILLION

CHARLOTTE – On Tuesday, terrorism-sponsor Iran continued its brazen and provocative behavior toward the United States when four Revolutionary Guard naval vessels came dangerously close to a U.S. Navy destroyer in the international Strait of Hormuz. 

This follows the December launch of an Iranian military rocket near the U.S.S. Harry Truman, the illegal capture of 10 U.S. Navy sailors in January, and the test-firing of ballistic missiles in violation of a United Nations resolution in March.

Meanwhile, the Obama Administration has given Iran $1.7 billion taxpayer dollars to settle a decades-old arms deal, including $400 million in cash airlifted to Iran as “leverage” to secure the release of four American hostages.

“President Kennedy stared down Nikita Khrushchev.  President Reagan built an international coalition which brought down the Iron Curtain without firing a shot.  And somehow, President Obama thinks it’s a good idea to give $1.7 billion to the world’s number one state-sponsor of terrorism,” said Congressman Pittenger.  “The current lack of American leadership is stunning, and President Obama’s desperate attempts to justify his Iran nuclear deal at all costs have made the Middle East, and the world, less safe.”

On August 3rd, Congressman Pittenger sent Secretary of State John Kerry a letter requesting a written explanation on the $400 million in cash apparently used as ransom for four American hostages.  He has yet to receive a response.  A copy of the full letter is available by clicking here.

Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) is Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, and Vice Chairman of the Financial Services Committee to Investigate Terrorism Financing. 

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