Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement about President Trump's announcement on the Iran Deal:

“Instead of stopping Iran’s nuclear program, the Iran Deal simply gave the regime a direct path to obtaining a nuclear weapon but at a slower pace. That was not acceptable. I support President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran Deal. I believe that action will result in a safer world and a safer America. From the start, President Obama and Secretary Kerry told Congress there would be clear red lines for any deal with Iran. The Iran Deal violated every red line that was drawn, from complete access to Iran's facilities and scientists to a robust inspection and verification regime.

“It also provided Iran with billions of dollars it has used to fuel terrorism and instability, reducing American security, threatening the survival of Israel, and allowing state-sponsored terror to flourish in the region. Withdrawing from this deal creates an opportunity to move forward and pursue a solution to provide true security to the United States, our allies, the Middle East and the world. Iran knows what must be done. Until then, they will have to deal with the reality of sanctions.”