This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The letter to the Leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran, signed by Utah's Mike Lee and Orrin Hatch and 45 other Republican senators, is lighting up the Internet today. And not in a good way.

Utah senators increase risk of war — Salt Lake Tribune Editorial [w/video of Ike's Military Industrial Complex speech]

"It will be up to history to judge whether the latest partisan stunt joined by Utah Sens. Mike Lee and Orrin Hatch amounts to an act of End Times warmongering or merely another bit of cringe-worthy buffoonery on the global stage.

"Chances are that the foolish, dangerous and arguably felonious attempt by the Obama Derangement Caucus of the Senate will soon be forgotten. Unless, as President Obama himself muttered the other day, the Senate Republicans make common cause with the hard-liners in Iran to push the region, and the world, that much closer to nuclear war. ..."

Amateur Hour — Fred Kaplan | Slate

"The letter 47 Republican senators sent to Iran is one of the most plainly stupid things a group of senators has ever done."

Iran Offers to Mediate Talks Between Republicans and Obama — Andy Borowitz | The New Yorker

" ... Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, made the offer one day after Iran received what he called a "worrisome letter" from Republican leaders, which suggested to him that "the relationship between Republicans and Obama has deteriorated dangerously."

"He said that his nation was the "logical choice" to jumpstart negotiations between Obama and the Republicans because "it has become clear that both sides currently talk more to Iran than to each other. ..."

Republicans set up their own breakaway nation — Dana Milbank | The Washington Post

" ... He pointed out that from reading the open letter, it seems that the authors not only do not understand international law, but are not fully cognizant of the nuances of their own Constitution when it comes to presidential powers in the conduct of foreign policy. ..."

Republicans' Latest Threat to an Iran Deal — Carol Giacomo | The New York Times

" ... But the senators' suggestion that international political commitments made by presidents can and should be easily overturned — and therefore by implication have no value — is at odds with tradition, American security interests and good sense. ..."

GOP senators' letter to Iran is dangerous and irresponsible — David Ignatius | The Washington Post

"Even by congressional Republican standards, the naysaying letter to Iran sent Monday by 47 GOP senators was grossly irresponsible. Not only did it undercut President Obama's ability to negotiate a diplomatic agreement, but it also undermined the aspect of the Iran nuclear deal that would potentially be most beneficial to the United States and Israel. ..."