Obama Demands Release of Detained Americans While Defending Iran Deal

President Barack Obama defended the much-maligned Iran Deal during his Tuesday address at the 116th Annual Veterans of Foreign Wars Convention in Pittsburgh. However, despite the president’s vocal support for the ongoing talks, he did make a point to address concerns about the four American citizens currently detained by or in the country.

“We are not going to relent until we bring home our American who are unjustly detained in Iran. Journalist Jason Rezaian should be released. Pastor Saeed Abedini should be released. Amir Hekmati, a former sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, should be released. Iran needs to help us find Robert Levinson. These Americans need to be back home with their families.”

Whether or not the U.S.-Iran talks have included anything specific about Rezaian, Abedini or Hekmati remains to be seen. Some, like Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, have suggested that the release of hostages shouldn’t be a part of the “nuclear deal” in process.

Check out the clip below, courtesy of CNN:

[Image via screengrab]

— —
>> Follow Andrew Husband (@AndrewHusband) on Twitter

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!