Im happy they are coming back but its a disgrace theyve been there for so long
WASHINGTON D.C. (Texas Insider Report) Republican presidential candidates Saturday praised the release of four American hostages by Iran but attacked President Barack Obama for swapping them for terrorists and for releasing as much as $150 billion to Tehran under the nuclear agreement.
Theyre getting seven people back front-runner Donald Trump told a rally in Portsmouth N.H. CNN reports. So essentially they get $150 billion plus seven and we get four. It doesnt sound too good.
Im happy they are coming back but its a disgrace theyve been there for so long he said. A total disgrace.
Under the Iran nuclear deal the funds held up for five years under crippling international sanctions could be released as early as Saturday.
The American hostages are Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati Pastor Saeed Abedini and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari whose name had not been previously made public.
They were to be flown from Iran to Switzerland aboard a Swiss aircraft and then transported to a U.S. military hospital in Landstuhl Germany for medical treatment U.S. officials said.
Two other Americans former FBI agent Robert Levinson and oil executive Siamak Namazi remain in captivity by Tehran.
Trumps key rival
Ted Cruz said while campaigning in South Carolina that weve just gotten the news that pastor Saeed Abedini and three other Americans are coming home from Iran. I simply say praise God.
We dont know the details of the deal that is bringing them home that it may be some very problematic aspects to this deal the Texas senator added. But at least this morning I am giving thanks that Pastor Saeed is coming home.
It is far later than it should have been but well be glad to welcome home with open arms.
In Iowa
Marco Rubio told reporters that hostages should have never been there.
The fact of the matter is this tells us all we need to know about the Iranian regime: They take people hostage in order to gain concessions.
The fact that they can get away with this administration is one of the reasons its created an incentive for more governments to do this around the world.
Ben Carson said that he was overjoyed for the hostages and their families
the Post reports.
I am very pleased that four American citizens who were illegally imprisoned by Iran in flagrant violation of longstanding international human rights norms have finally been released the retired pediatric neurosurgeon said.
The fact remains that President Obamas nuclear agreement with Iran is fatally flawed and gravely jeopardizes the national security interests of the American people our ally Israel and other peaceful nations in the Middle East and around the world.
Rand Paul told an audience in Manchester N.H. that the swap proved that diplomacy worked.
It was done I think because even though Iran is a country with very limited freedom we were willing to negotiate Paul said according to the Post. It goes to temperament.
All the other Republicans are telling you rip up that agreement. I say Really? Dont we want to see if it works first? he asked.
Chris Christie told an Iowa television station that we shouldnt have to swap prisoners.
These folks were taken illegally in violation of international law and they should have been released without condition Christie said in an interview with WHOTV The Huffington Post reports. But you know the Iranians have treated this president with disrespect for years and he continues to take it. I would not take it as president.
Jeb Bush said this on Twitter:
Prayers answered as American hostages coming home. Await more details on swap. They never should have been held at all.
Jeb Bush (@JebBush)
January 16 2016
Other Republicans also weighed in on the swap.
Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee cautioned that we must be careful not to forget the dangerous circumstances of their release.
President Obama has appeased Irans terror-sponsoring ayatollahs this time with a prisoner swap to secure the overdue release of four innocent American hostages in return for which Iran gets seven lawfully convicted terrorists and criminals 14 terrorism prosecutions halted $100 billion in sanctions relief and an industrial-scale nuclear program.
Cotton noted that Levinson and Namazi were being held to extract future concessions.
While we exult in the return of American hostages one must also wonder how many more Americans will be taken hostage in the future as a result of President Obamas shameful decision to negotiate with these terrorists he said.
Jay Sekulow chief counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice which has represented Abedinis family throughout the ordeal said that were delighted this day has finally arrived.
Were grateful for the millions of people who have stood with us in our ongoing efforts both in this country and abroad to secure his release.
We have worked and prayed that this day would finally arrive Sekulow said. And now Pastor Saeed can return home.
