The Trump administration’s get-tough approach to Iran, including an executive order putting a halt to travelers and immigrants coming from that country along with six other Muslim-majority nations, has Democratic critics even more worried about the fate of American citizens and others with strong U.S. ties imprisoned in Iran.

In the last remaining weeks of the Obama administration, a cadre of White House officials had reportedly hoped they could secure one last deal with Iran and bring home at least some of the five hostages with strong U.S. ties being held there.