The junior Republican from Arkansas and one of the loudest opponents to an Iranian nuclear deal took to Twitter Wednesday to call Iran’s foreign minister “cowardly” and challenge him to a debate on the U.S. constitution.
Cotton dared Javad Zarif to meet him in Washington to “debate Iran’s record of tyranny, treachery, and terror” after the foreign minister called Cotton out.
Hey @JZarif, I hear you called me out today. If you’re so confident, let’s debate the Constitution. 1/4
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 29, 2015
Here’s offer: meet in DC, @JZarif, time of your choosing to debate Iran’s record of tyranny, treachery, & terror. 2/4
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 29, 2015
I understand if you decline @JZarif after all, in your 20s, you hid in US during Iran-Iraq war while peasants & kids were marched to die 3/4
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 29, 2015
Not badge of courage @JZarif, to hide in US while your country fought war to survive-but shows cowardly character still on display today 4/4
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 29, 2015
Zarif name-checked Cotton twice during an event at New York University Wednesday, first hinting that Cotton’s opposition to a nuclear deal will have little effect on it its passage and implementation.
Zarif went on to say he hopes nuclear negotiators reach a deal prior to the June 30 deadline, which will lead to the lifting of sanctions on Iran, “which will be mandatory for all member states whether Sen. Cotton likes it or not.”
Enter: Cotton on Twitter. The Senator also released a statement titled “Cotton Responds to Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif’s Comments About Lifting Sanctions,” a four paragraph long statement taking shots at both Zarif and President Obama.
Zarif took his time to respond to Cotton, but finally did Thursday morning.
Serious diplomacy, not macho personal smear, is what we need. Congrats on Ur new born. May U and Ur family enjoy him in peace .@SenTomCotton
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) April 30, 2015
Cotton has a longstanding dislike for Iran. Cotton was one of the 47 Senators who sent a letter to Iranian leaders threatening that Congress must approve any nuclear deal that is reached between Iran, the U.S. and five other world powers.
The letter upset Obama, Democrats and Iranian leaders alike. Negotiators reached a framework nuclear deal in early April and have until June 30 to reach a final one.
