The U.S. and the Qatari government will prevent Iran from accessing $6 billion in humanitarian aid funded by Iranian oil sales that was unfrozen by the United States earlier this year as part of a prisoner swap, Wally Adeyemo, deputy Treasury secretary, told House Democrats on Thursday, the Washington Post reported, following widespread backlash over alleged ties between Iran and Hamas’ attacks on Israel.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo reportedly said Thursday that the $6 billion in ... [+]
Republicans have been critical of President Joe Biden since the war between Hamas and Israel began over the weekend—Iran has backed Hamas for years, though its direct connection to Saturday’s attack on Israel remains unclear.
The agreement to unfreeze the $6 billion in Iranian assets was made last month and was part of a deal to release five Americans previously imprisoned by Iran in exchange for five Iranian prisoners—though the money is only able to be used for humanitarian purposes.
Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee began the call for the Biden Administration to refreeze the $6 billion in assets two days ago out of concern there “is significant risk (the funds) could be used to further efforts by Iran or Hamas against Israel.”