Staff Reports
Republican lawmakers and foreign policy pundits have come out swinging against the Biden administration’s decision to extend a sanctions waiver for Iran, giving the adversary access to a whopping $10 billion from escrow accounts. The move has been labeled as “reckless and dangerous,” with prominent figures lambasting the administration’s handling of the situation.
Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis didn’t hold back, slamming the decision as a slap in the face to Israel, especially in the wake of the horrific Hamas attack on October 7th. He also pointed out the Biden administration’s previous $6 billion ransom payment to Iran and criticized the lax oil sanctions that keep the Iranian regime cozy with cash from China.
Republicans rip Biden’s $10 billion Iran sanctions waiver: ‘Reckless and dangerous’ https://t.co/V3kyuRR91U pic.twitter.com/22mxjugFrR
— New York Post (@nypost) November 16, 2023
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley also joined the chorus of criticism, calling the extension of the sanctions waiver a move that makes the US “look like fools.” She highlighted the fact that Iran’s proxies are actively targeting American troops abroad and causing harm to US citizens in Israel.
Senator Todd Young of Indiana didn’t mince words either, describing the Biden administration’s action as “unconscionable,” while Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee labeled it as “madness.” Senator Marsha Blackburn, also from Tennessee, questioned the rationale behind providing Iran with an additional $10 billion, given its support of Hamas’ terrorist activities.
Senator Tom Cotton, who has firsthand experience from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, condemned the decision as “appeasement” and criticized the administration for emboldening the Iranian regime and its proxies to continue attacks against American troops and allies.
While US officials argue that the waiver extension was necessary to prevent Iraq from being cut off from a critical energy source, critics remain skeptical about Iran’s intentions. Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank, called out President Biden for greenlighting the sanctions waiver, highlighting Iran’s role as the main financier and weapons supplier for the October 7 attacks on Israel.
Foreign policy and national security experts share similar sentiments of skepticism, with concerns about Iran using the funds to perpetuate its violent campaign against the US and Israel. The argument that Iran may only use the funds for non-sanctioned humanitarian goods, such as food and medicine, has also been met with doubt and criticism.
While the State Department defends the waiver by emphasizing that Iran’s destabilizing activities would continue regardless of the waiver, the prevailing sentiment among conservative voices is one of outrage and disbelief at the administration’s decision. The Republican opposition remains steadfast in their condemnation of the Biden administration’s handling of the Iran sanctions waiver, with a clear consensus that it is a dangerous and detrimental move.
