Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Risch made the following statement regarding news of an extension of the Iranian nuclear talks:

“With this extension, President Obama has defined a new normal where Iran can continue its nuclear weapons program and receive billions of dollars in sanctions relief with no movement toward changing its unacceptable behavior. Releasing money to the Iranians while they continue to produce material that could be used for a weapon is a bad deal. Also, it is absolutely imperative that the Iranians release Pastor Abedini and the other two Americans they are holding. The Iranian regime needs to be taught that it must come to the table with serious actions to end its nuclear program, or the West will walk away, isolate, and punish their threatening behavior.  This extension will not be helpful to President Obama’s legacy.”

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