GOP-backed bill aims to halt Biden administration’s unfreezing of $6 billion for Iran in light of Israel war.
Over 100 House Republicans Back Bill to Refreeze Iranian Funds
More than 100 House Republicans are throwing their support behind a bill that aims to refreeze the $6 billion in Iranian funds that were recently unfrozen by the Biden administration. This move has sparked intense criticism from the GOP.
Introduced by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), the legislation has garnered significant support from Republican Study Committee Chairman Kevin Hern (R-OK), Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), and Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI). With a total of 103 co-sponsors, the bill seeks to halt the transfer of funds from South Korea to Qatar, ensuring compliance with U.S. sanctions.
Fact-Checking White House Talking Points on Iran and Hamas
While the funds are intended for “humanitarian needs,” some Republicans argue that unfreezing them will only serve to fuel Hamas’s attack on Israel, which began last Saturday.
“A month ago on the anniversary of 9/11, the Biden administration unfroze $6 billion and made it available to Iran — the world’s largest state sponsor of terror — while Iran was helping Hamas plan the horrific terror attacks on Israel,” stated Pfluger. “This $6 billion will be used to backfill the money that Iran is paying to Hamas if we don’t act.”
Pfluger further criticized the Biden administration’s “quiet understanding” with Qatar, another host country of Hamas, calling it a disaster waiting to happen. As the administration refuses to permanently freeze the funds, Congress is taking matters into its own hands, according to Pfluger.
Following the rocket attacks launched by Hamas, Israel declared war and imposed a “total siege” on Gaza, cutting off essential resources such as electricity, food, and fuel from its nearly 2 million inhabitants.
As of Thursday morning, the death toll on both sides reached approximately 2,500, with the White House confirming that 27 Americans were killed and 14 are still missing.
“The Biden Administration first downplayed Iran’s role in Hamas’ attacks and then, astonishingly, tried to claim the $6 billion they gave to Iran has nothing to do with it,” expressed Hern. ”Appeasing Iran does not work, it just gives them more resources to finance terrorism against Israel and cause chaos in the region. Iran provides over $100 million a year to Hamas; the Biden administration just gave $6 billion to Hamas’ biggest backer.”
However, the White House and State Department vehemently deny that unfreezing the funds could have contributed to the Hamas attack.
“Not a single dollar from that account has actually been spent to date,” stated Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday. “Iran has unfortunately always used and focused its funds on supporting terrorism, on supporting groups like Hamas, and it’s done that when there have been sanctions.”
Republican senators, led by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), have called on the Biden administration to freeze the Qatari bank accounts holding the $6 billion in Iranian funds. In a letter to President Biden, Blackburn expressed concerns about the potential misuse of the funds by Iran or Hamas.
“Your administration claims these funds are only available for humanitarian use, but money is fungible, and there is a significant risk they could be used to further efforts by Iran or Hamas against Israel,” wrote Blackburn. “Moreover, allowing $6 billion to flow into Iran’s economy, even if the purpose is for humanitarian aid, allows the Iranian regime to reallocate even more funds to supporting terrorism.”
The letter received support from 20 signatories, including Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC), Rick Scott (R-FL), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Katie Britt (R-AL).
“The United States does not regret bringing home American citizens who have been unjustly detained abroad,” stated national security adviser Jake Sullivan. “As I said before, the president has no higher priority than to get Americans home.”
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Which countries have expressed their support for the bill and why?
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International Response to the Bill
The bill has also received support from international voices, particularly those concerned about Iran’s influence in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, a long-standing rival of Iran, has expressed its solidarity with the United States. The Saudi Foreign Ministry released a statement affirming its support for any measures that contribute to regional stability and combat terrorism.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has also voiced its support for the bill. The UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash, stated that freezing Iranian funds is a step towards limiting Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region. He emphasized the need for international unity in countering Iran’s aggressive behavior.
On the other hand, Iran has condemned the bill, calling it a violation of international law and accusing the United States of interfering in its internal affairs. Iranian officials argue that the unfrozen funds are necessary to address the country’s humanitarian needs, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Implications and Future Outlook
The bill to refreeze Iranian funds signifies a significant stance by House Republicans against the Biden administration’s handling of the situation. It highlights the deep-rooted concerns about Iran’s support for terrorist organizations such as Hamas and their potential to escalate conflicts in the Middle East.
As the bill gains momentum, it remains to be seen whether it will garner support from Democrats. The Biden administration has argued that unfreezing Iranian funds is necessary to facilitate humanitarian aid and negotiate a new nuclear deal with Iran. However, the bill’s sponsors and supporters maintain that freezing these funds is crucial for protecting the interests of the United States and its regional allies.
In the coming weeks, Congress will deliberate on the bill, and its ultimate fate will depend on bipartisan support. The outcome will not only shape U.S.-Iran relations but also have broader implications for regional stability in the Middle East.
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