Washington, D.C. – Following the announcement of a preliminary deal between the United States and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Dr. Annie Andrews, candidate for U. S. Senate from South Carolina, released the following statement:

“Ending this crisis of choice in Iran should be the top priority of Lindsey Graham and every sitting member of Congress.

Tragically, this war has resulted in the death of 13 American service members and has cost American taxpayers $1.88 billion per day.

I am relieved the naval blockade of Iranian ports will come to an end, and on behalf of the 30,000 U.S. service members who call South Carolina home, I hope this will start the end of the fighting and hostilities in Israel and Lebanon. If the goal remains to end Iran’s nuclear program, diplomacy remains the best way forward.

Whether at the gas pump or at the grocery store, it is voters who are also paying the price for this unnecessary war. Ending this conflict is a critical step toward reversing the affordability crisis so many families are currently facing.

Though details of this deal remain unclear, and on over 30 occasions President Trump has announced a peace deal with the Iranians.  The terms appear to do little more than bring us back to where we were when the President and Lindsey Graham started this war, with an open Strait but no agreement on Iran’s nuclear program.”

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