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Washington D.C.- Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul issued the following statement on the release of five Americans who were held hostage by Iran.

“I am immensely relieved that five Americans held hostage by Iran are finally reunited with their families and on their way home. I wish them peace, strength, and health as they rebuild their lives in freedom.

“I am very concerned that this $6 billion hostage deal incentivizes future hostage-taking. Even though the Administration claims these funds are limited to humanitarian transactions, we all know that transactions are difficult to monitor and that money is fungible. There is no question this deal will free up funds for Iran’s malign activities.

“Iran has not changed its ways, and very importantly, has not a provided a full account of the fate of U.S. hostage Robert Levinson, who is presumed to have died in Iranian custody. U.S. citizens should not travel to Iran; the risks are far too great, and the potential consequences are catastrophic. We need swift, significant action to restore deterrence against Iran’s hostage-taking and other malign activities.”

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