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Tom Cotton: Our Bad Position in Iran Talks Stems from Enemies Not Taking Obama Threats Seriously

April 1, 2015

Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) lambasted President Obama’s foreign policy strategy in the Middle East and criticized his approach to the Iran nuclear negotiations. The freshman senator told Wolf Blitzer the president’s weakness in region has led to America’s enemies no longer taking his threats seriously.

"Unfortunately, I don't think Iran or many of our adversaries in the region take that threat of force very seriously. I have spoken personally with ambassadors from the region who just say it's not believed anymore, particularly after the president walked back his so-called red line in Syria," Cotton said.

A day after the deadline passed to reach an agreement with Iran, one of the most vocal critics of White House’s negotiations with the Ayatollah said Obama gave away all leverage in negotiations by not following through on the red lines he drew.

"Actions have consequences. The president drew a red line in Syria, then erased it."

When asked whether he supported U.S. military action to take out Iran’s nuclear facilities, Cotton reiterated that he prefers a better negotiation to stop any chance of the Ayatollah getting his hands on a bomb.

"I would like to see a negotiated outcome that stops Iran on all paths to getting a nuclear bomb," Cotton said.

Cotton would have the Congress introduce more sanctions on the regime to coerce the Iranians to come back to the negotiating table on the U.S.’s terms.

"We need to reinvigorate the threat of use of force to drive our diplomacy. Diplomacy is always stronger when backed by credible threat of use of force," Cotton said.

Cotton repeatedly attacked the president for not keeping his word to the U.S.’s allies. He decried the lack of trust Middle East allies have in the administration, citing the actions taken by Sunni countries without notifying U.S. officials.

"Well, unfortunately, Wolf, the president's assurances don't reassure many people in the Middle East right now."