The Biden government will allow the terrorist-supporting Iranian government to access at least $10 billion more from hitherto frozen funds held in Iraq.
A new sanctions waiver would extend billions in relief to Iran, despite President Biden only having criticized the Iranian regime’s funding of terrorist groups in the wake of Hamas’ violent incursion into Israel last month. The waiver would also allow Iraq to transfer frozen electricity payments to Iranian-owned bank accounts in Oman and Europe.
The Biden government will insist the money can only be used for non-sanctioned activities. Yet, Republican congressmen pointed out the folly in this approach as, even if the money is used in accordance with the US’ wishes, it will free up money elsewhere to continue funding groups like Hamas.
“The world is living in a post-October 7th world, but the White House is still running an Oct. 6 policy toward Iran,” said Richard Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
“Why should Iran have any access to more than $10 billion after sponsoring one of the worst terrorist attacks against American citizens and the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust? It would make more sense to freeze all of these accounts and keep every penny out of Tehran’s hands,” he added.