U.S. officials say they don’t have a smoking gun proving that Tehran played a direct role.
President Joe Biden is facing mounting Republican pressure to take action against Iran in the wake of the latest violence in the Middle East, even as U.S. officials say they don’t have a smoking gun proving that Tehran played a direct role.
More than a dozen GOP senators are leading the charge, calling on the Biden administration to refreeze the $6 billion in funds released to Tehran in a prisoner exchange deal last month. The administration also faces calls to impose new sanctions on Iran or even take military action against Iranian targets.
Republicans note that Hamas, the militant group that staged a stunning attack on Israel over the weekend, has long been militarily supported by Iran. Israel is now retaliating against Hamas. More than 1,800 people have died so far in the fighting.
“Giving Iran $6 billion — even if for humanitarian aid — allows them to reallocate other funds to supporting terrorism,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) tweeted Tuesday morning. “Especially given Iran’s involvement in the Hamas attacks, Biden must immediately freeze the transfer.”
Twenty Republican senators, including Blackburn, sent a letter to the White House on Monday criticizing the administration for claiming that the funds are only available for humanitarian use.
“Money is fungible, and there is significant risk they could be used to further efforts by Iran or Hamas against Israel,” they wrote.
The Biden administration has repeatedly denied the $6 billion could be diverted by Iran for nefarious purposes, noting its use will be highly restricted and monitored. Still, the deal has come under persistent pushback from conservative lawmakers since it was first announced.
