Senators Demand Proof from Biden Administration: Has Iran Stopped Assassination Attempts on US Officials?
Mike Pompeo in crosshairs, from Iran-affiliated account / Twitter
New Senate legislation aims to hold Iran accountable and prevent the Biden administration from lifting economic sanctions until they can confirm that the hardline regime has completely ceased all efforts to assassinate current and former American officials.
Republican leaders are determined to block the Biden administration from granting Iran access to billions of dollars in oil revenue through the PUNISH Act, introduced by Sen. Joni Ernst (R., Iowa) and obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. This bill comes on the heels of the controversial billion ransom payment made to Tehran last month as part of a hostage deal.
The legislation is introduced amidst ongoing diplomatic negotiations between the Biden administration and Iran to revive the 2015 nuclear deal. As part of these talks, the Biden administration has refrained from enforcing sanctions on Iran’s illicit oil trade, effectively granting them access to tens of billions of dollars in cash that were previously cut off during the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign.
Sen. Ernst and other Republicans have been pressuring the Biden administration for years to enforce U.S. sanctions on Iran, but their efforts have largely been met with inaction from senior diplomats engaged in negotiations with Tehran. The recent $6 billion ransom payment has sparked outrage, especially considering Iran’s ongoing attempts to assassinate American officials, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
“President Biden’s strategy of appeasement continues to endanger the lives of Americans both at home and abroad. Iran cannot be allowed to persist in attempting to kill U.S. citizens and Iranian dissidents without facing consequences,” said Sen. Ernst, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. ”As a result, my PUNISH Act will hold President Biden accountable by preventing his administration from providing Tehran with any further sanctions relief. This failed appeasement strategy must come to an end, and Iran must face the maximum consequences from the United States.”
Supported by 13 other Republican senators, Sen. Ernst’s bill would prohibit the Biden administration from using executive authority to lift sanctions on Iran until the Islamist regime “ceases to attempt to assassinate United States officials, other United States citizens, and Iranian nationals residing in the United States,” according to the bill’s text. While it is likely to gain widespread Republican support in both the House and Senate, it remains uncertain whether Democrats would support an attempt to strip the Biden administration of its sanctions waiver authority.
Although the White House has the power to waive any sanctions, this legislation aims to revoke that power until the United States can certify to Congress that Iran is no longer pursuing the assassination of Americans. Given Iran’s refusal to back down and their recent threats against Americans and dissidents abroad, it is unlikely that the Biden administration would be able to provide such certification in the near future.
Sanctions can only be lifted once the State Department confirms that Iran has not supported or attempted assassinations or kidnappings for a period of five years.
Lawmakers have been urging the Biden administration for some time to provide them with a classified briefing on Iran’s active assassination plots against U.S. officials, American citizens, and Iranian dissidents residing in the United States. They express concerns that the administration is not doing enough to protect these individuals and hold Tehran accountable.
These tensions became public last month after U.S. Strategic Command hosted a former Iranian official who openly boasted about Iran’s efforts to kill officials from the Trump administration and their families.
Investigations into the Biden administration’s dealings with Iran have intensified following a recent report about a secret Iranian government-run propaganda network that aimed to influence U.S. policymakers. One alleged member of this group, Ariane Tabatabai, works in the Pentagon and holds a security clearance.
What measures does the PUNISH Act require Iran to take to halt its assassination attempts, and how will these measures be verified?
Til it can provide unquestionable proof that Iran has ceased all efforts to assassinate American officials. The bill would also require the administration to submit a report to Congress detailing the steps taken by Iran to halt these assassination attempts and the evidence supporting their cessation.
The demand for proof comes in response to multiple reports of Iran’s continued attempts to assassinate American officials, particularly former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. In fact, a recently surfaced Twitter post from an Iran-affiliated account showed a photo of Pompeo in the crosshairs. This disturbing revelation underscores the need for the Biden administration to take decisive action and hold Iran accountable for its dangerous actions.
Critics argue that the Biden administration’s current approach of appeasement is not only ineffective but also endangers the lives of American citizens. By providing Iran with sanctions relief and access to billions of dollars in oil revenue, the administration is essentially enabling the regime’s hostile activities. This is particularly concerning given Iran’s track record of sponsoring terrorism and its role in destabilizing the Middle East region.
The PUNISH Act, if passed, would serve as a strong deterrent against Iran’s assassination attempts and send a clear message that the United States will not tolerate such aggression. It is crucial for the Biden administration to prioritize the safety and security of American officials and citizens by holding Iran accountable for its actions.
While diplomatic negotiations are important, the United States must not compromise on its commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting its citizens. The PUNISH Act provides a necessary framework for the Biden administration to ensure that Iran fully discontinues its attempts to assassinate American officials before any sanctions relief is granted.
The support of 13 other Republican senators for the bill demonstrates a united front in the push for accountability. It is a bipartisan effort to protect American lives and uphold the principles of justice and security. The current situation demands a firm stance against Iran’s hostile actions, and the PUNISH Act is a crucial step in achieving this objective.
As the negotiations between the Biden administration and Iran continue, it is imperative that the administration takes the concerns raised by Senator Ernst and other Republican senators seriously. The safety of American officials and citizens should be a top priority, and any further sanctions relief for Iran must be contingent upon the cessation of assassination attempts.
The PUNISH Act serves as a powerful tool to hold Iran accountable and prevent the Biden administration from making unilateral decisions that compromise the safety of American officials. It is now up to Congress to pass this crucial piece of legislation and ensure that Iran faces the consequences of its actions. Only by taking a strong and principled stance can the United States effectively protect its citizens and maintain its national security interests.
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