Senior Republican Senator Jim Risch criticized Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s suggestion that negotiations with Iran remain possible, calling it a continuation of "disastrous policies that led to October 7."

“We must cut off the regime's revenue and reduce its influence to make sure Tehran stays weak,” Risch said in a post on X Friday.

Blinken, addressing the Council on Foreign Relations on Wednesday, said a nuclear weapon by Iran was not inevitable and suggested there was room for negotiations. He noted Iran has faced regional setbacks, including Israeli strikes and the loss of key allies such as Syria’s Bashar al-Assad.