BALTIMORE – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the release of four detained Americans in Iran and a fifth American, a student, who was released as well.

“The release of five innocent Americans from Iran is a day for all Americans to celebrate their long and overdue return home. Painstaking effort and the unwavering determination put forward  by Secretary of State Kerry, former Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, and countless others to ensure these brave Americans were freed is a credit to our nation’s finest diplomats. Amidst the most trying and time consuming negotiations with Iran, the safety and freedom of our countrymen was a priority of our diplomatic agenda. These Americans and their family members have endured tremendous hardship and immense anguish for far too long. This painful chapter in their lives is about to close and I hope everyone affected can seek some comfort in knowing that leaders in the U.S. government and communities across the country never gave up hope and did not rest until these Americans were freed.” 
 

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