“Paying for hostages will lead to kidnapping. ransom and blackmail against Americans around the world,” Donald Trump wrote on social media.
Donald Trump has now taken to Truth Social to blast Joe for his decision (Getty Images via Nhac Nguyen/Poole AP, Scott Olson/Getty Images North America/AFP)
Biden administration officials are scrambling to defend the transfer of seized assets to Iran as administration critics try to draw a connection between an unprecedented surprise attack against Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas and the terms of a prisoner swap with Iran announced last month.
Since Hamas fighters launched attacks against Israel on Saturday. senior Biden administration officials have sought to dismiss reports that Iran was directly linked to the attacks. refuting allegations that the Biden administration enabled them by freezing $6 billion worth of Iranian assets as part of an agreement to release six US citizens from Iranian custody.
The Biden administration defended the freezing of the assets, saying the money belonged to Tehran to begin with, profits from oil sales to South Korea, which faced currency conversion challenges during the Trump administration when sanctions against Tehran were eased. They have also said the US is closely monitoring spending in the account the money is being held in, and that Iran can only use the money for humanitarian purposes, such as buying food and medicine for its people.
Critics, primarily Republicans, had argued that the money is exchangeable, and while these specific funds will not be spent on supporting terrorism around the world, the unfrozen assets allow Iran to spend more money on Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthi rebels and other friendly proxies of Tehran. They also pointed to comments by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who told NBC’s Lester Holt in September that the money “belongs to the Iranian people, the Iranian government, iran will decide what to do with this money
These criticisms gained new force after the attacks by Hamas militants, as Iran has historically supported the group, which has been designated a terrorist group by the United States and other governments.
Officials responded first on social media and then on television shows.
National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, “These funds have nothing to do with today’s horrific attacks and this is not the time to spread misinformation.”
Administration officials have been mostly consistent in their answers, but here are some notable points administration officials have used to clarify the situation.
The Joe Biden administration notified Congress on Monday, September 11 that it had taken steps to exchange prisoners with Iran. According to NBC News, a State Department document sent to Congress said US sanctions would give Tehran access to $6 billion in Iranian oil revenues.
Blinken discussed the administration’s response to the conflict on The Sunday Show last weekend, and was pressed about the unfrozen assets.
In an interview with CNN’s “State of the Union,” Blinken called the Republican criticism “extremely unfortunate” and chided critics for “playing politics at a time when so many lives have been lost and Israel continues to be attacked.”
The country’s top diplomat said “not a single dollar has been spent from that account,” and he added that the account is “closely regulated” and monitored by Treasury Department officials. Donald trump
Blinken, who has spoken with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and other world leaders since the war began, will travel to Israel and Jordan this week to show “solidarity and support” with the Israeli government.
Donald Trump has now taken to Truth Social to blast Joe for his decision. “Can you believe crooked Joe Biden is giving $6 billion to the terrorist government of Iran? That money will be used for terrorism throughout the Middle East and indeed the world. This incompetent fool is absolutely destroying America,” the former president wrote.
Biden to welcome World Series champs Houston Astros to White House Aug 7 2023
“He had the courage to announce this terrible deal today, September 11th. Paying for hostages would lead to kidnapping, ransom and blackmail against Americans around the world. I freed dozens of our people from various unfriendly countries and didn’t pay a dime! Donald trump added.
Donald trump Donald trump
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