Shimkus: Obama Foolish to Trust Iran

Press Release

Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15) signed two letters to President Obama last week in response to the Commander-in-Chief's silence on Iranian ballistic missile tests and purchase of state-of-the-art air defense systems from Russia in violation of international agreements.

"Turning a blind eye to the Ayatollah's new missiles won't make them go away," said Shimkus. "The President's bad deal with Iran has emboldened and enriched the world's biggest state sponsor of terrorism. Now his inaction, in the face of obvious violations of U.N. resolutions and his administration's own deal, has allowed Iran to extend its offensive reach and enhance its air defenses -- complicating any future military response to the Islamic Republic's nuclear ambitions."

The first letter, authored by Rep. Ted Yoho (R, Florida-3) and signed by 106 Members of Congress, states that Iran twice "has illegally tested a ballistic missile since the nuclear agreement… was signed" and urges an immediate delay in the implementation of the deal and relief of sanctions.

The second letter, authored by Rep. Thomas MacArthur (R, New Jersey-3) and signed by 14 Members of Congress, states that Iran's sophisticated, Russian-built S-300 surface-to-air missiles can "be deployed as an offensive weapon and therefore is in violation of the" President's nuclear deal. The letter urges the administration to immediately void the deal and reinstate all sanctions against Iran.

"It's embarrassing," Shimkus concluded. "The ink on the bad nuclear deal is barely dry and the Iranians have already violated its terms. President Obama was foolish to trust them to keep their word."

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