U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) criticized the Biden administration Thursday over reports it had reached a deal with Iran to release five American prisoners in exchange for five Iranian prisoners and $6 billion.
The New York Times reported that once the American prisoners are back on U.S. soil, Biden will release several Iranian nationals who were jailed due to violating sanctions on Iran. According to Fox News, the Biden administration also plans to unfreeze $6 billion of Iran's assets currently in South Korea to be transferred into a fund controlled by Qatar.
Britt called the $6 billion payout a "ransom" and said it would only encourage more hostage situations from "hostile actors" in the future.
"While I will always join my fellow Americans in welcoming home our citizens held hostage around the world, I'm deeply troubled by the naive 'deal' the Biden Administration reportedly struck," Britt said in a statement. "Handing $6 billion to the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism is a reckless and dangerous decision that threatens the lives of Americans and our allies across the globe. This appeasement will only embolden our adversaries and invite hostile actors to take more American hostages in the future, as they know doing so could score them massive payouts from this Administration."
Further highlighting Biden's weak foreign policy, Britt pointed out that the swap was made close to the anniversary of the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan in 2021, in which 13 U.S. soldiers were killed.
"As we near the anniversary of his disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, President Biden has once again shown the world that his failed foreign policy is built on a foundation of weakness. It's time to get back to achieving peace through strength," she said.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email daniel.taylor@1819news.com.
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