Despite the clamor from Republican and Democratic lawmakers for the Biden Administration to refreeze the $6 billion released to Iran, the White House has refused to take this step. The defense advisor Jake Sullivan recognized that the shadow of Iran is behind the terrorist massacre of Israeli civilians, "in a broad sense because it has provided most of the financing of Hamas's military wing," but he limited himself to noting that "Not a single dollar of that money has been spent" after being questioned about this measure. However, he acknowledged with a brief "yes" that the proposal is on the president's table.
Giving Iran $6 billion — even if for humanitarian aid — allows them to reallocate other funds to supporting terrorism.
Especially given Iran’s involvement in the Hamas attacks, Biden must immediately freeze the transfer. pic.twitter.com/sewacOyWYs
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) October 10, 2023
Letter from 18 Republican senators to the White House
A group of 18 Republican senators sent a letter to President Biden demanding the freezing of these funds. In the letter, conservative legislators reject the official explanation that this money can only be used for humanitarian aid, arguing that, thanks to them, the Ayatollah Regime can "reallocate other funds to supporting terrorism." Senator Marsha Blackburn, one of the signatories, stressed that "given Iran's involvement in the Hamas attacks, Biden must immediately freeze the transfer." The former speaker of the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, had previously expressed as one of the priority measures to be taken by the US, was the stoppage of the delivery of the money.
WATCH: Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) details his plan for responding to the conflict in Israel:
- Evacuate American citizens
- Provide Israel with medical supplies and weapons
- Freeze $6 billion Iran prisoner swap deal
- Halt Iranian oil production pic.twitter.com/jWDJh2lOdq— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) October 9, 2023
Democratic senators demand freezing of funds to Iran and even more sanctions
The initiative to prevent Iran from using the 6 billion in operations to finance terrorist groups in the Middle East was not limited to only conservative legislators, several Democratic senators also joined the request. This is the case with John Tester, who issued a statement through X. Joe Manchin and Jacky Rosen, in statements to Politico, also agreed with the proposal. The senator from West Virginia even went so far as to call for additional sanctions for the Ayatollah Regime. Although he did not directly express his support for freezing the funds, the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Mark Warner, was blunt about Iran's alleged involvement in the massacre: "This was clearly an attack that was planned for months or longer, the notion that somehow there is a relationship there doesn't pass the smell test."
My statement on freezing Iranian assets: pic.twitter.com/JNpsp4woHd
— Senator Jon Tester (@SenatorTester) October 10, 2023
White House rejects initiatives against Iran
However, the White House turned a deaf ear to these claims, at least for now. During a press conference, Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, who had previously acknowledged the Administration's strong suspicions about Iran's involvement in preparing the massacre and the terrorists who participated in it, refused to answer the question from a journalist about whether the money given to Iran will be withheld again. Sullivan simply said that "not a dollar of that money has been spent. And I'll leave it at that," although he acknowledged that the issue has been raised.
Tune in for a briefing with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. https://t.co/uOwiUtDtHo
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 10, 2023
