In a bold move, members of US Congress have penned a stern letter to Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen, and Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, demanding clarification on the Biden Administration’s Iran sanctions policy. The letter, signed by prominent lawmakers including Bill Huizenga, Brian Mast, Blaine Luetkemeyer, and Joe Wilson, highlights growing concerns over recent deadly attacks linked to Iran-backed groups.
The letter, dated March 13, 2024, references the January 28th drone attack by Kata’ib Hezbollah on a U.S. base in Jordan, resulting in the tragic deaths of three American service members and numerous injuries. Additionally, it brings attention to the ongoing destabilizing activities of Iran-backed militias across the Middle East, including missile and drone attacks on shipping and over 160 assaults on U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria.
Of particular concern to lawmakers is the apparent inconsistency in the Biden Administration’s handling of Iran sanctions. They point to instances where waivers have been granted, allowing the transfer of billions of dollars from South Korea to Qatar and from Iraq to Oman, despite Iran’s continued support for terrorist organizations.
The letter poses several pointed questions to the Administration, seeking clarity on issues such as Iraq’s choice to pay Iran in euros, the nature and oversight of transactions processed through the Omani channel, and the rationale behind including certain jurisdictions in sanctions waivers.
Furthermore, lawmakers express skepticism regarding the efficacy of humanitarian transactions, highlighting Iran’s history of deception and the fungibility of money. They argue that by waiving sanctions, the Administration is effectively providing a financial lifeline to the Iranian regime, enabling it to further support terrorism, nuclear activities, and military endeavors.
The letter concludes with a deadline for responses, emphasizing the oversight authority of the relevant congressional committees and the importance of transparency in shaping U.S. foreign policy.
This bold move by Congress reflects growing bipartisan concern over the Biden Administration’s approach to Iran sanctions and sets the stage for a potential showdown between the legislative and executive branches over national security and foreign policy priorities.
