Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., acknowledged Tuesday that he met with Iran’s foreign minister on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
In a thread of four tweets, Murphy reasoned that in the midst of escalation between the U.S. and Iran, “it’s dangerous not to talk to adversaries.”
The tweets were the first confirmation of his meeting with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
In response to criticism, Murphy tweeted that “Congress is a co-equal branch to the executive. We set foreign policy too.”
In their meetings, Murphy said he urged Zarif to control Iranian proxies in Iran that might attack U.S. forces and allies there. He also said he pressed him to release American citizens unlawfully detained in Iran. Third, he said he urged him to end the Houthi blockage of humanitarian aid in Yemen.
He continued that many lawmakers have met with Zarif over the years, under both Presidents Trump and Obama.
“There is value in having a dialogue,” he said, ending with “I wish President Trump would see that value too.”
Speaking to reporters during a tour through Africa, Sec. of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday that the Democrats who participated in the sideline meeting are “aiding and abetting” the world’s foremost state-sponsor of terrorism and anti-Semitism, according to The Free Beacon.
“This guy is designated by the United States,” Pompeo said, bringing attention to Zarif recently being added to the U.S. terror list.
Image: Reuters
