Jay Sekulow: 'Unconscionable' That Iran Deal Sealed Without Hostages

It’s "unconscionable" that the Obama administration failed to include a provision in the Iran nuclear deal for the release of four U.S. citizens — three known hostages and a fourth suspected captive, Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice, told Fox News.

"What happened today makes a bad deal even worse," Sekulow said following Tuesday’s announcement that a deal had been struck. "We will now focus our attention on convincing Congress to reject this deal."

With the inking of the deal, President Barack Obama punted American leverage and proved that the fates of former Marine Amir Hekmati, Washington Post Iran Bureau Chief Jason Rezaian, Christian pastor Saeed Abedini and ex-FBI Agent Robert Levinson are not a chief concern, despite repeatedly stating otherwise, according to Sekulow.

"President Obama told the Abedini family face-to-face that he considered the release of Pastor Saeed a 'top priority,'" Sekulow said. "How could that be a 'top priority' when a deal is reached and Pastor Saeed is left behind?"

Though Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday said the U.S. continues to call for Iran to release the "detained U.S. citizens," the Obama administration takes the position that the nuclear negotiations and the hostages' freedom "are separate issues," according to CNN.

"These Americans have remained in our thoughts throughout this negotiation, and we will continue to work for their safe and swift return," Kerry said.

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