Iranian FM Javad Zarif Trolls Sen. Tom Cotton On the Occasion of His Child’s Birth

Ever since international negotiators announced a framework nuclear agreement earlier this month, the Senate’s current uber-hawk, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, has been waging a very public campaign to kill the deal. And it just keeps on backfiring — most recently in a hilarious exchange with Iran’s foreign minister, Javad Zarif, that saw Tehran’s top diplomat offer the gentlest, most brutal of putdowns.

Serious diplomacy, not macho personal smear, is what we need. Congrats on Ur new born. May U and Ur family enjoy him in peace .@SenTomCotton — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) April 30, 2015

After orchestrating a public letter, signed by 47 senators, to the leaders of Iran arguing that any sanctions relief would have to be approved by Congress, Cotton has emerged as the most prominent hard-line voice agitating against a nuclear deal with Tehran. But in remarks in New York Thursday, Zarif tried to sideline Cotton, saying that the United Nations would be primary avenue for sanctions relief, “whether Sen. Cotton likes it or not.”

That apparently struck quite the nerve with Cotton, who demanded that Zarif come to Washington for a debate on the Constitution.

Hey @JZarif, I hear you called me out today. If you’re so confident, let’s debate the Constitution. 1/4 — Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 29, 2015

Here’s offer: meet in DC, @JZarif, time of your choosing to debate Iran’s record of tyranny, treachery, & terror. 2/4 — Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 29, 2015

I understand if you decline @JZarif after all, in your 20s, you hid in US during Iran-Iraq war while peasants & kids were marched to die 3/4 — Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 29, 2015

Not badge of courage @JZarif, to hide in US while your country fought war to survive-but shows cowardly character still on display today 4/4 — Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 29, 2015

As we’ve written about here at Foreign Policy, Cotton’s public campaign against the deal has been beset by problems. After unveiling his letter to Iran’s leaders about sanctions relief, Cotton faced intense criticism that he had undermined President Barack Obama’s authority to conduct U.S. foreign policy. To add insult to injury, the Farsi version of his public letter read like a middle schooler had written it.

It’s almost enough to feel sorry for Cotton. The Arkansas senator does, however, have quite the adorable child to go home to:

Hello, world! Since everyone is asking, my name is Gabriel. pic.twitter.com/rVOVVClNvl — Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 28, 2015

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