#IranLetter sparks ‘treason’ charge against US senators

Words like “traitor” and “treason” are streaming down some Twitter timelines today following a Republican letter sent to Iranian leaders cautioning them about Obama’s nuclear negotiations. The text, signed by 47 Republican senators, intends to diminish faith in a potential US nuclear deal by stating numerous claims, including that it could be overturned after the President leaves office. 

Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, tweeted back his response to the letter organiser freshman Republican Senator Tom Cotton. Zarif questioned the letter’s appropriateness and said it held “no legal value.”

“It seems that the authors not only do not understand international law, but are not fully cognizant of the nuances of their own constitution when it comes to presidential powers in the conduct of foreign policy”, Zarif said. He also dismissed any concerns about a lack of follow through with the next administration, citing his faith in international law. 

Below is the letter Senator Cotton tweeted at various Iranian officials including President Hassan Rouhani and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Cotton also sent the foreign minister, who is US educated and speaks English, a translated version in Farsi.