In Response to Ayotte, Carter and Dempsey Oppose Lifting Arms Restrictions on Iran

Press Release

At this morning's Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) questioned Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, on Iran's reported push to lift the United Nations arms embargo against Iran, as well as restrictions related to Iran's ballistic missile program.

In response to Ayotte's question on whether the arms embargo should be lifted, Secretary Carter said, "No, we want [Iran] to continue to be isolated as a military..."

After being asked also about Iran's intercontinental ballistic missile program by Ayotte, General Dempsey replied, "...under no circumstances should we relieve pressure on Iran relative to ballistic missile capabilities and arms trafficking."

Ayotte has led efforts in the United States Senate highlighting Iran's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program and urged that a final deal with Iran address its ICBM program.

After the hearing, Ayotte said, "I hope the White House and the administration's negotiators in Vienna listen to the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who oppose lifting the arms embargo against Iran, as well as the restrictions on their ballistic missile program."

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