(ReclaimingAmerica.net) – Several Republican lawmakers are demanding the Biden administration reverse its foolish decision and freeze $6 billion in assets released to Iran, citing concerns about the funds being used to support terrorist groups like Hamas. This call comes after deadly terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel.
In September, the Biden administration happily negotiated a deal with Iran to release $6 billion in previously frozen assets and five Iranian nationals in exchange for releasing five American prisoners. While the administration stated that the funds were intended for “humanitarian purposes,” Republican lawmakers argue that the money could inadvertently free up unrestricted funds for Iran to sponsor groups engaged in terrorism, such as Hamas.
A group of Republican senators, led by Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, penned a letter to Biden expressing their concerns. The letter stated, “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. 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 was signed by several other Republican senators, including Senator Mike Lee of Utah, Senator John Cornyn of Texas, Senator Rick Scott of Florida, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Senator Marco Rubio of Florida. Prominent House Republicans, including Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, have also called for the assets to be re-frozen.
The lawmakers emphasized that Iran has a history of supporting terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, often using them as proxies to carry out terror activities. U.S. and Israeli intelligence agencies have raised suspicions that Iran may have assisted Hamas in planning recent attacks against Israel, resulting in deaths and hostage-taking.
The White House ultimately failed to respond to these calls to freeze the assets.
