News / Politics

Two US presidential hopefuls back GOP letter to Iran

Wednesday, 11 March 2015 5:33 AM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 11 March 2015 5:35 AM ]

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal

Two US presidential hopefuls from the Republican Party have added their support to a much-criticized letter sent to Iran that warns against a potential nuclear agreement.

In an open letter to Iran on Monday, 47 Republican senators warned that a potential nuclear deal with Tehran would not be acceptable until it is approved by the US Congress.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and former Texas governor Rick Perry on Tuesday announced their support for the letter, which has outraged the White House.

“Every single person thinking about running for president, on both sides, should sign on to this letter to make clear to Iran that they are negotiating with a lame duck president,” Jindal said in a statement.

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and former Florida governor Jeb Bush have also expressed support for the move to challenge President Barack Obama’s negotiating authority. The two top-tier candidates, however, stopped short of signing on.

First-term Senator Tom Cotton, author of the controversial letter, said Tuesday the letter has more support in Congress than the Republican senators who have co-signed it.

Democrats and the Obama administration have already blasted the letter's authors.

The White House was quick in its condemnation of the letter, accusing Republicans of throwing “sand in the gears” of the nuclear talks.

US Vice President Joe Biden expressed absolute shock Tuesday and said he was "offended" by what he called an attempt to circumvent the US Constitution.

Iran and the P5+1 group – Britain, France, China, the United States and Russia plus Germany – are seeking to seal a comprehensive nuclear deal by July 1.

AHT/AGB

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