WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) released the following statement after Iran seized two U.S. Navy ships and detained the crew in the Persian Gulf:

"The taking into custody of ten American sailors continues a disturbing trend of provocative behavior by Iran. This follows the Iranian Navy firing rockets near U.S. ships responsible for maintaining the safety of the Persian Gulf, and the testing of ballistic missiles in violation of U.N. Security Council Resolutions. President Obama's strategy of ignoring this threatening behavior in the name of preserving a bad nuclear agreement has drawn our country and the global community into a dangerous position. This is no time to lift sanctions, freeing tens of billions of dollars for Iran. The president must clearly condemn and take meaningful action to prevent these aggressions before Iran's next act leads to a loss of lives and the threat of an escalated conflict."

 # # #