John McCain: Unlikely Kayla Mueller could have been rescued by US

PHOENIX — Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) said Tuesday it was unlikely the United States could have rescued Kayla Mueller, an Arizona woman who died while held hostage by the Islamic State.

“I don’t think [there was any way to save her],” he told KTAR News’ Mac & Gaydos. “I was in contact with her parents for now nearly two years and we tried to go through Middle Eastern countries … we were able to get some information out about her but I don’t know [specifics].”

McCain said Mueller may have been in the area of a failed rescue attempt months ago, but there is no way to be certain.

“I have to say, I think our government did everything that they could,” he said.

ISIS claimed Mueller was killed in a retaliatory airstrike by Jordan, but that has been denounced by the Pentagon.

“She did not [die in the air strikes last week],” McCain said. “The Jordanians said absolutely not, it’s not possible.”

McCain said he met with numerous officials in several different countries to try to secure Mueller’s release, but it was in vain.

“I feel like I failed because we didn’t succeed,” he said.