Rep. Messer: Don’t negotiate with Iran

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Three Americans released from prison in Iran are now being treated in Germany.

One other American was released separately in a prisoner swap that is now the subject of controversy as wellas criticism from one Indiana Congressman.

Republican Luke Messer says it’s an example of a failed strategy for dealing with Iran.

7 Iranians were given pardons or had charges against them dropped in exchange for the release of the Americans.

Both the President and Secretary of State John Kerry are calling it a victory for diplomacy.

The releases are apparently tied to the Iran Nuclear Deal. It took effect over the weekend and, as part of it, sanctions against Iran were lifted.

They will permit Iran to sell more oil and rebuild its economy.

Messer praised the release of American prisoners but says we need to remember how it happened.

“It’s been a longstanding policy in America that we don’t negotiate with terrorists. The President decided that he would negotiate with Iran,” said Messer.

“They didn’t suddenly have an epiphany. The Ayotollah didn’t suddenly decide he likes America and their actions so far haven’t matched their words. I’m mean they’ve shown hostility towards America still by firing missles at our ships and capturing our soldiers and the President seems to ignore that,” said Messer

Messer is referencing 10 American sailors who were detained in the past week after the two boats they were on entered Iranian territorial waters.

They were released after one of them made a televised apology.

A report released Monday indicates those prisoners were not mistreated. They were in Iranian custody for 15 hours.

Congressman Messer, meantime, says the President seems to reward good behavior by Iran and ignore bad behavior.