Lawmakers caution Biden Admin on granting Iran billions in sanctions relief

The⁤ Biden administration is on the verge ⁣of granting Iran‍ a fresh sanctions waiver, which will provide the country with access to over $10 billion in frozen‌ assets. ⁢This move has‍ sparked concerns among a group of GOP lawmakers who believe ⁣it will serve as “a‌ financial lifeline” for Tehran⁣ as it continues to ⁤fuel ⁢terrorism in the⁤ Middle East.

In November, following Hamas’s attack on ‌Israel, the ​State Department signed off on a‍ sanctions waiver allowing Iraq to transfer multibillion-dollar electricity payments to Iran. This waiver, which grants Tehran access⁤ to approximately $10 billion in‍ frozen funds, is set to expire ‍soon unless the​ Biden administration renews it.

The concerned Republican lawmakers have ⁤sent a letter ‍to the Treasury and⁢ State Departments, urging the Biden administration to ⁤disclose the amount of ‌cash Iran has accessed ‍since⁢ the lifting of sanctions.

Amidst Iran’s support for terrorist proxies ⁤like Hamas, Hezbollah,⁣ and the Houthi rebels in Yemen, the decision to issue the sanctions waiver has drawn criticism. Critics argue that it will enable Iran to continue funding ⁣its terrorist allies during⁢ a period ⁣of ‍heightened violence in the Middle ⁢East.

“Given the Biden Administration’s posture on the last waiver, we presume that the Biden Administration will renew⁢ the waiver again to continue⁢ to⁣ allow for the transfer of funds from Iraq to Oman,”‌ wrote four Republican lawmakers, led by Rep. Bill⁤ Huizenga (Mich.), ⁤in the‍ letter. “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 waiver permits Iraq to transfer payments for electricity⁢ imports ​from Iran into‌ accounts outside the country, ⁣which can be utilized by Tehran for humanitarian purposes such as food and medicine. However, critics argue that money is fungible,⁣ and if​ granted access to aid dollars, Iran can allocate resources to its terrorism enterprise.

“Iran has a history of lying about humanitarian transactions,” the lawmakers express. ⁢”There is no reason ⁣to​ think ‌that they will‍ not⁤ try to skirt ⁤these restrictions again. ‌Additionally, money is fungible, and the ⁢waiver and subsequent transfer will free up billions in funds that Iran can now spend on its terrorist proxies,​ nuclear activities, and military.”

These concerns are particularly significant considering Iran’s support for Hamas and ​other terrorist allies‌ in the ​region.

“While the Biden administration alluded to‍ a ⁤multi-tiered response to Hamas’ ⁣attack, it‍ has not addressed if and how waiving sanctions on Iran is part of the ‍strategy to counter ⁣Iran’s destabilizing role in the Middle East,” the lawmakers ‌highlight.

Renewing the sanctions‍ waiver ‍would also contradict recent statements from senior administration officials acknowledging Iran’s ‍involvement in the ongoing conflict in Israel and surrounding areas.

Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh stated in late January that the administration “will continue to call out the fact that Iran does⁣ fund and equip these ​groups and provide them ⁢the capabilities that they use to attack our service members.”

Richard Goldberg, a​ former member of the White House National Security Council, emphasized ⁣that renewing ‌the waivers would further support ⁣Iran’s malicious activities.

“It’s subsidizing daily attacks ‌on the⁣ U.S. Navy in the Red Sea, it’s subsidizing drones and ‍missiles sent to [Russian president Vladimir] ​ Putin, and it’s subsidizing the abuse⁤ of Iranian ⁣women,” said Goldberg, a⁣ senior adviser at the Foundation‌ for Defense of Democracies think tank.

“Congress can stop the money flow,” he added. “The Senate ⁢is⁤ sitting on a House-passed bill that would⁣ freeze ‍the money, lock it down⁤ immediately. But if Senate‌ Republicans ‌won’t fight for ‌it, Biden will keep subsidizing⁤ the mullahs ​all the way through November.”

The​ State Department has not responded to inquiries regarding the ‌renewal of the sanctions waiver.

Last year, when the​ most recent waiver was approved, a State Department spokesman assured that the​ “restricted funds can ⁤only be used for ⁤humanitarian and other⁢ non-sanctionable transactions.” The official added, “It is in the U.S. interest that this money leave Iraq and be spent⁢ down‍ from Iran’s accounts held overseas.”