Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., issued a statement Saturday on the release of the American personnel and the implementation of the Iran nuclear agreement.
"While I am delighted that our citizens who have been unjustly held in Iran will be released back to the United States and reunited with their families, we need to understand more fully all the details and implications of this arrangement, including its timing. With Iran possessing one of the world's worst records for human rights, we must continue to hold Iran's leaders accountable for their repressive policies."
Corker was co-author of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act that mandated congressional review of the agreement. He and other Republicans voted unsuccessfully last year for a resolution of disapproval that would have blocked the agreement.
"I opposed this flawed agreement, and fear its implementation shifts the leverage to Iran as sanctions are lifted in exchange for only limited and temporary restrictions, allowing Iran to industrialize its nuclear enrichment capability after a decade," Corker said.
"Now armed with an initial windfall of more than $100 billion, Iran will have vast new resources to continue sponsoring terrorism, threatening its neighbors, and funding its nuclear and missile programs. The U.S. and our European partners must impose swift and immediate consequences for any violations or acts of Iranian aggression to ensure Tehran will not use the deal as cover to advance its dangerous activities."
He added, "The Senate Foreign Relations Committee already is involved in a vigorous oversight process and is considering legislative proposals to ensure Iran continues to be held accountable. We will use all the tools provided by the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act to quickly impose new sanctions should Iran breach the terms of the agreement."