Iran Deal Update: Senate to Focus on Securing Release of Imprisoned Americans – including Pastor Saeed
As the bad Iran deal gets ever closer to finalization and implementation, the U.S. Senate is working to do everything it can to save American Pastor Saeed Abedini and the other wrongfully imprisoned Americans in Iran.
While the Senate has previously voted to save Pastor Saeed, he remains in one of the world’s most dangerous prisons, separated from his wife and young children, and tormented instead of given the vital medical help he needs.
Naghmeh’s latest heartbreaking update about her husband’s condition as he remains in chains for Christ reminds us of the importance of our international advocacy for his freedom.
And now, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell plans to bring yet another vital vote on Thursday for Pastor Saeed up on the floor of the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) plans to force Democrats to walk the line on the Iran nuclear agreement, teeing up a vote on a contentious amendment on the deal.
The Republican leader scheduled a procedural vote on an amendment that would block President Obama from lifting sanctions against Iran under the nuclear deal until Iran publicly supports Israel and releases Americans currently held in Iranian prisons. . . .
The Kentucky Republican warned Democrats ahead of Tuesday's vote that if they blocked the resolution [of disapproval of the Iran deal] that he would file his amendment, saying that "my strong preference is for Democrats to simply allow an up-or-down vote on the president’s Iran deal."
"But if they’re determined to make that impossible, then at the very least we should be able to provide some protection to Israel and long-overdue relief to Americans who’ve languished in Iranian custody for years," he added.
A minority of Senators has filibustered the bill formally disapproving of the Iran nuclear deal twice now refusing to even give the measure an up-or-down vote
Protecting Israel and securing the freedom of our fellow Americans wrongfully imprisoned in Iran against international human rights norms should be something every U.S. Senator can agree on.
We continue our multi-pronged work to save Pastor Saeed, a U.S. citizen who has been imprisoned for nearly three years
Over 260,000 of your letters to Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon are on their way to the United Nations requesting international pressure on Iran to adhere to international human rights laws and free Pastor Saeed. This week, Naghmeh Abedini pleads with members of Parliaments from around the world on behalf of her husband.
And now, we continue to mobilize our offices on Capitol Hill to urge Congress to perform its constitutional duty and do whatever it takes to ensure Pastor Saeed is returned home to the U.S. and reunited with his family.