In a deeply concerning development, the Biden administration has reapproved a sanctions waiver that will release up to $10 billion in frozen funds to Iran, according to a notice submitted to Congress and reviewed by the Washington Free Beacon. This move comes despite Iran’s well-documented role as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism and its recent involvement in attacks on Israel and American interests in the region.
The waiver, which Republican lawmakers have fiercely opposed, allows Iraq to pay Iran for electricity via third-party countries like Oman. Rep. Bill Huizenga and three other GOP House members wrote to the administration earlier this week, arguing that “By waiving the application of sanctions, the Administration is maintaining a financial lifeline for the Iranian regime, even as it continues to support terrorist organizations around the world.”
The Biden admin has renewed a sanctions waiver that unlocks $10 BILLION for the Iranian regime.
After all Iran has done to fund Hamas’ terrorist attacks on Israel, we should not be giving them one more cent.
Shame on Biden.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) March 14, 2024
While the State Department claims the funds can only be used by Iran for humanitarian purposes, critics rightly point out that money is fungible. Providing this cash infusion frees up other funds for Iran to continue bankrolling its global terrorism operations. As the GOP lawmakers stated, “Iran has a history of lying about humanitarian transactions. There is no reason to think that they will not try to skirt these restrictions again.”
The timing of this move is especially egregious in light of Iran’s support for the terrorist group Hamas during its recent war with Israel. Unfreezing billions of dollars for a regime that actively enables attacks on our closest Middle Eastern ally sends a troubling message about America’s priorities and resolve.
Richard Goldberg, a former White House National Security Council member, highlighted how the Biden administration’s version of the waiver gives Iran far more leeway than previous iterations. “This is an Iran sanctions relief waiver that allows Tehran to access money and use it for budget support, including debt payments and import subsidies,” Goldberg explained.
BREAKING: Biden Admin Renews Iran Sanctions Waiver Unlocking Upwards of $10 Billion for Regime — In face of GOP outrage, State Dept again issues key sanctions waiver permitting Tehran access to frozen funds https://t.co/4PAWDw6C7u
— Adam Kredo (@Kredo0) March 13, 2024
He also called out the administration’s lack of transparency, noting that “The fact that the administration will not even tell the American people how much money Iran has accessed over the last four months—money that subsidized three American soldier deaths and nonstop attacks on the American Navy—should prompt the U.S. Senate to immediately pass the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act.”
At a time when the Iranian regime is actively undermining regional stability and threatening American lives and interests, providing them with billions in sanctions relief is a dangerous and misguided policy. It rewards bad behavior, weakens the impact of our sanctions regime, and ultimately makes the world a more dangerous place.
The Biden administration must reverse course on this ill-advised waiver and maintain maximum pressure on Iran until it ceases its malign activities. Anything less is a betrayal of our allies, our values, and our national security interests. The American people deserve a foreign policy that stands up to tyrants and terrorists, not one that appeases them with billions in unfrozen funds.