McCaskill Claims Nuke Deal Allowed Kerry to Workout Release of American Sailors Held by Iran

‘He has been assured that these sailors will be released’

BREWER: “Just today, we’re seeing ten American sailors held by Iran as — because they had somehow gotten into Iranian waters and had mechanical failures. Can you talk a little bit about your comfort, about the nuclear deal holding, if Republicans win the White House?”
MCCASKILL: “Well, first of all, We had twelve tons of enriched uranium that left Iran. Just in the last few days concrete was poured down their centrifuges. If only we had that kind of ability to do that in North Korea and other countries where there is nuclear capability. I think what we have done in terms of stopping the march towards a nuclear weapon in Iran is important. Is our relationship with Israel important? Of course that is. Are they still are most important ally in the Middle East? Of course they are. But this notion that we should not do everything in our power to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, I just don’t think that’s the appropriate approach. And by the way, had we not had this negotiation, John Kerry wouldn’t have been in a position to pick up the phone and call the foreign minister of Iran and say, ‘Hey, what is the deal?’ And he’s been assured that these sailors will be released tomorrow. And I’m hopeful that will be the case. But I know in the old days, there wouldn’t even be conversations going on about what we could do to get these brave military back on American shores.”
BREWER: “OK. So the change in strategy, the change in approach worked with Iran. We’ve seen President Obama saying, look if we’ve tried something for fifty years with regards to Cuba and it doesn’t work, you’ve got to try something new. Is it time to change our strategy with regards to North Korea?”
MCCASKILL: “Well I think North Korea is a real problem. He wants attention. I don’t think he’s a mature or stable leader. I think we need to think about that as we make our decisions in America. Stability matters. And not whether you can cuss and not whether you can be bombastic and not whether you can inflame a crown, but whether you can lead with a stable hand in a very complicated and dangerous world.”
BREWER: “Senator McCaskill, it’s good of you to join us. Thank you very much, ahead of the president State of the Union address.”

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