Duckworth Statement on Release and Return of American Citizens Held by Iran

Press Release

Congresswoman and Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Tammy Duckworth issued the following statement in response to the release and safe return of five American citizens who had been held unjustly by the Iranian government:

"The release of five American citizens who have unjustly been held captive in Iran is a genuinely momentous occasion, and one that reinforces the importance of strong and smart diplomatic efforts. While there is no doubt these men should not have been held in the first place and their return is long overdue, that does not temper the excitement of this moment, and I am beyond thrilled for Jason Rezaian, Saeed Abiding, former Marine Sergeant Amir Hekmati, Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari and Matthew Trevithick, and their families with whom they will soon be reunited.

Foreign policy is complicated, made all the more so when the Iranian regime has spent the last 35 years antagonizing America and our allies. Nevertheless, I am hopeful that this development, coupled with the recent international agreement to end Iran's nuclear weapons program, speaks to a new day in relations between our two countries.

This is a positive step, and a victory for smart and thoughtful foreign policy, as opposed to the knee-jerk response of self-styled hawks."

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