Ransom payment under renewed scrutiny following Hamas attack
Joe Biden, advisers; Iranian leader Khamenei (Win McNamee/Getty Images and Majid/Getty Images)
Congressional pressure is mounting on the Biden administration to put the brakes on its $6 billion payout to Iran in the wake of Hamas’s unprecedented weekend attack on Israel, an operation that was carried out with support from Tehran.
“Nearly two months after Hamas’s banker, Iran, received billions of dollars, Hamas launched a massive, unprovoked war on Israel,” Rep. Bryan Steil (R., Wis.) wrote in a letter sent Wednesday to the White House and obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. ”Arguing that these two events are unrelated strains credulity.”
Steil is one of many lawmakers in both the House and Senate who are pressing the Biden administration to enact a wholesale shift in its policy towards Iran, arguing that its support for Hamas’s most recent terrorism campaign shows it cannot be trusted to negotiate in good faith. While the White House is going to great lengths to claim the $6 billion ransom payment is wholly separate from the Hamas strike, lawmakers and analysts disagree, saying that by freeing up more cash for Tehran the Biden administration helped the regime divert funds to its terror proxies.
“Now more than ever we must demonstrate our ironclad commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship and our mutual stand against terrorism,” Steil wrote in his letter to the White House. “Denying the Iranian regime funding means it has less money to spend on terror, missiles, and proxies like Hamas.”
Democrats have made similar calls in recent days, with Sen. Joe Manchin (D., W.Va.) saying Biden “should absolutely freeze Iranian assets.”
While Biden has said he is considering his options as it relates to the $6 billion payout, the White House has not yet signaled that any action is currently on the table.
The White House declined to comment on its plans for the $6 billion. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan also declined to comment on it when pressed by reporters at a Tuesday press briefing, saying only, “Not a dollar of that money has been spent, and I will leave it at that.”
The $6 billion in assets are currently being held in Qatar, with the White House claiming they can only be accessed for food and medicine, though Iran has said it can be spent on whatever the government chooses. If Biden were to go back on the deal, he would have to issue fresh sanctions to freeze the funds in place.
In addition to the $6 billion ransom, the Biden administration’s sanctions enforcement policies during the past several years have been put under a microscope. Upon entering office in 2021, President Joe Biden reopened diplomatic channels with Iran and began relaxing sanctions on the country’s illicit oil trade in a bid to cajole the regime into talks.
Iran has generated around $80 billion in oil profits since the Biden administration took office, the Free Beacon reported on Tuesday, money that has enabled Tehran to fund and arm groups like Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Both terror groups are currently warring with Israel and likely have the resources to do so thanks to their patrons in Iran.
“The recent aggression by Hamas underscores the need to enforce our financial sanctions and deny revenue to the largest state sponsor of terrorism, Iran,” Steil wrote. “[Y]our administration has continued to allow the Iranian regime to evade U.S. sanctions by allowing them to move large amounts of sanctioned crude oil to countries like China with no repercussions.”
If this policy continues, the United States will “give Iran more revenue to fund the regime’s destabilizing activities.”
Steil is requesting the White House provide him with a detailed list about any and all sanctions waivers or licenses that have been granted in recent months allowing financial transactions with the Iranian government.
In addition to unfreezing $6 billion in funds, the administration has issued sanctions waivers allowing Iraq to pay Iran upwards of $10 billion for electricity and other debts. This cash has served as another lifeline for Tehran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, the paramilitary fighting force that provides logistical support to Hamas and Hezbollah.
Steil also asked for a White House briefing on the rationale for granting these waivers and licenses granting Tehran access to cash.
“Given the urgency of the situation I urge you to respond as soon as possible,” he wrote. “Innocent lives remain in grave danger as Hamas attacks continue.”
What specific actions are Republican lawmakers, like Representative Steil, calling for in response to Iran’s support for terrorism?
K reform. However, critics argue that this approach has only emboldened Iran and enabled its support for terrorist organizations like Hamas.
The recent attack by Hamas on Israel has reignited the debate over the Biden administration’s stance on Iran. Lawmakers, including Representative Bryan Steil, are calling for a change in policy, arguing that the $6 billion payment to Iran has directly contributed to Hamas’s aggression. They assert that by providing Tehran with more funds, the Biden administration has inadvertently supported Iran’s ability to finance and arm its terror proxies.
In a letter addressed to the White House, Representative Steil emphasizes the importance of demonstrating a strong commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship and standing against terrorism. He urges the administration to deny the Iranian regime funding, as this will limit its ability to support terrorist activities.
These concerns are not limited to Republican lawmakers. Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat, has also called for freezing Iranian assets. This bipartisan pressure highlights the broad consensus that Iran’s support for terrorism should not be tolerated, regardless of party affiliation.
While President Biden has expressed that he is considering his options regarding the $6 billion payout, the White House has not yet indicated any specific course of action. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan declined to comment on the matter, stating that none of the money has been spent. This leaves lawmakers and analysts questioning the intentions of the Biden administration and whether they will take decisive action to address the situation.
The $6 billion in assets intended for Iran are currently held in Qatar, with the White House asserting that they can only be used for essential needs such as food and medicine. However, Iran has openly stated that it can spend the funds as it sees fit, raising concerns about the transparency and accountability of the Iranian government.
In addition to the ransom payment, critics also scrutinize the Biden administration’s approach to enforcing sanctions against Iran. Since taking office, President Biden has sought to reopen diplomatic channels with Iran and ease sanctions on its illicit oil trade. This strategy aims to persuade Iran to engage in negotiations and implement reforms. However, opponents argue that it has instead provided Iran with economic relief, allowing the regime to pursue its destabilizing agenda without sufficient consequences.
The renewed scrutiny of ransom payments to Iran and the Biden administration’s policies towards the country underscore the need for a comprehensive reevaluation of U.S. policy. Lawmakers and the public alike demand accountability, transparency, and a strong stance against terrorism. The Biden administration now faces the challenge of striking a delicate balance between diplomacy and ensuring the security and interests of the United States and its allies.
As the pressure mounts on President Biden and his administration, it remains to be seen how they will respond to these calls for action. The stakes are high, and the repercussions of inaction could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability and the fight against terrorism. Now, more than ever, decisive and principled leadership is essential to address the concerns surrounding the Iranian regime and its support for unlawful and violent activities.
