Cotton challenges Iranian’s courage

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on Wednesday challenged Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to a public debate over their respective nations.

“Hey @JZarif, I hear you called me out today,” Cotton tweeted.

{mosads}“If you’re so confident, let’s debate the Constitution,” he continued.

“Here’s offer: Meet in D.C., @JZarif, time of your choosing to debate Iran’s record of tyranny, treachery and terror,” the freshman senator concluded.

The war of words began when Zarif insulted the Arkansas lawmaker during remarks he made Wednesday in New York.

Zarif vowed that economic sanctions on Iran would disappear following completion of any nuclear arms deal with the United States.

Such relief would happen whether Cotton “likes it or not,” U.S. News & World Report quoted Zarif.

Zarif also said he had “studied and lived in the U.S.” and that he knew “enough about the U.S. Constitution and U.S. procedures.”

Cotton in his comments mocked Zarif, arguing that based on his personal history, he would likely flee a confrontation.

“I understand if you decline @JZarif after all, in your 20s, you hid in U.S. during Iran-Iraq war while peasants & kids were marched to die,” Cotton said.

“Not badge of courage @JZarif, to hide in U.S. while your country fought war to survive,” he added. “But shows cowardly character still on display today.”

President Obama announced a framework pact with Iran over its nuclear program on April 2. It would lift sanctions on Iran in exchange for greater restrictions on its nuclear program.

Iran’s leadership has promised it will allow more frequent atomic inspections as part of the deal. It also vowed it would accept caps on Iran’s centrifuge and uranium stockpiles.

Cotton has long opposed negotiations with Iran’s government. He wrote a letter signed by 46 other GOP senators in March, vowing that Congress could void any deal it found unsatisfactory.

Obama has argued diplomacy is the best method for preventing a nuclear Iran. The White House is now targeting a June 30 deadline for a final deal with Tehran.