Swordsmyth
09-12-2018, 11:10 PM
Though he previously denied it when allegations first surfaced last Spring (https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/05/john-kerry-iran-deal-collusion/), former Secretary of State John Kerry has now disclosed he's personally had semi-frequent face to face contact with top Iranian officials to discuss US-Iran relations since Trump entered office.
Kerry confirmed and explained in detail his recent meetings with Iranian Former Minister Javad Zarif in an interview (http://www.hughhewitt.com/former-secretary-of-state-john-kerry-on-his-new-memoir-every-day-is-extra/) with radio host Hugh Hewitt to promote his new memoir, Every Day Is Extra.
During the interview Kerry disclosed that he met with Zarif "three or four times" and discussed political issues and challenges between the United States and Iran in what could constitute a significant and clear violation of the Logan Act.
Though it's almost never been enforced, the 1799 Logan Act states that unauthorized diplomacy with foreign powers by private American citizens is a crime. Notably, two Trump-connected individuals that prominent Liberals and editorials demanded be prosecuted under the Logan Act include former national security advisor Michael Flynn and Trump senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner.
When asked point blank during the radio show about his rumored meetings with top Iran officials, Kerry admitted, "I think I've seen him three or four times," but attempted to claim he was not trying to "coach" Iran on how to navigate President Trump's pullout of the Iran nuclear deal.
Kerry is of course now a private citizen out of government but holds significant clout and influence with the Iran FM as the two hammered out the details of the JCPOA brokered under President Obama in the first place.
.@JohnKerry (https://twitter.com/JohnKerry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)’s arrogance and repeated attempts to undermine this administration by salvaging the #IranDeal (https://twitter.com/hashtag/IranDeal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) are striking. The deal was sold to Americans based on a pack of lies and deception. The President’s decision to withdraw was correct. https://t.co/QN3KQanmE1
— Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) September 12, 2018 (https://twitter.com/MarshaBlackburn/status/1039951087720169475?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) However, by Kerry's own explanation it looks precisely like he was doing this: "What I have done is tried to elicit from him what Iran might be willing to do in order to change the dynamic in the Middle East for the better," Kerry said. He also shared his belief that American policy in the Middle East would be much better off if the White House had stayed in the agreement, and that the global community would be more stable and secure.
It certainly appears that Kerry by his own admission is indeed trying to "coach" the Iranian FM on how to deal with the current White House. And the discussions clearly included chiding the Trump administration over its Iran policy while in Kerry's own words the "open[ing] of diplomatic channels" was on his mind.
Meanwhile some Republican lawmakers have already (https://townhall.com/tipsheet/cortneyobrien/2018/09/12/john-kerry-admits-to-meeting-with-iran-about-nuclear-deal-n2518338), hours after the interview, unleashed charges that Kerry is engaged in rogue diplomacy and is undermining the active, elected administration.
It was only a matter of time before he put his foot in his mouth, and promoting his new book means we're likely about to hear a lot more self implicating details spilled.
More at: https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-09-12/john-kerry-discloses-rogue-diplomacy-iran-during-interview-all-admits-logan-act
Kerry confirmed and explained in detail his recent meetings with Iranian Former Minister Javad Zarif in an interview (http://www.hughhewitt.com/former-secretary-of-state-john-kerry-on-his-new-memoir-every-day-is-extra/) with radio host Hugh Hewitt to promote his new memoir, Every Day Is Extra.
During the interview Kerry disclosed that he met with Zarif "three or four times" and discussed political issues and challenges between the United States and Iran in what could constitute a significant and clear violation of the Logan Act.
Though it's almost never been enforced, the 1799 Logan Act states that unauthorized diplomacy with foreign powers by private American citizens is a crime. Notably, two Trump-connected individuals that prominent Liberals and editorials demanded be prosecuted under the Logan Act include former national security advisor Michael Flynn and Trump senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner.
When asked point blank during the radio show about his rumored meetings with top Iran officials, Kerry admitted, "I think I've seen him three or four times," but attempted to claim he was not trying to "coach" Iran on how to navigate President Trump's pullout of the Iran nuclear deal.
Kerry is of course now a private citizen out of government but holds significant clout and influence with the Iran FM as the two hammered out the details of the JCPOA brokered under President Obama in the first place.
.@JohnKerry (https://twitter.com/JohnKerry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)’s arrogance and repeated attempts to undermine this administration by salvaging the #IranDeal (https://twitter.com/hashtag/IranDeal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) are striking. The deal was sold to Americans based on a pack of lies and deception. The President’s decision to withdraw was correct. https://t.co/QN3KQanmE1
— Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) September 12, 2018 (https://twitter.com/MarshaBlackburn/status/1039951087720169475?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) However, by Kerry's own explanation it looks precisely like he was doing this: "What I have done is tried to elicit from him what Iran might be willing to do in order to change the dynamic in the Middle East for the better," Kerry said. He also shared his belief that American policy in the Middle East would be much better off if the White House had stayed in the agreement, and that the global community would be more stable and secure.
It certainly appears that Kerry by his own admission is indeed trying to "coach" the Iranian FM on how to deal with the current White House. And the discussions clearly included chiding the Trump administration over its Iran policy while in Kerry's own words the "open[ing] of diplomatic channels" was on his mind.
Meanwhile some Republican lawmakers have already (https://townhall.com/tipsheet/cortneyobrien/2018/09/12/john-kerry-admits-to-meeting-with-iran-about-nuclear-deal-n2518338), hours after the interview, unleashed charges that Kerry is engaged in rogue diplomacy and is undermining the active, elected administration.
It was only a matter of time before he put his foot in his mouth, and promoting his new book means we're likely about to hear a lot more self implicating details spilled.
More at: https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-09-12/john-kerry-discloses-rogue-diplomacy-iran-during-interview-all-admits-logan-act