SANCTIONS $LIP-THRU
WH ripped for waiver
The Biden administration is being blasted for allowing billions of dollars to allegedly flow into Iran under a controversial sanctions waiver — even after Iranian-backed rebels launched deadly air strikes against American forces and the Islamic Republic just directly attacked staunch US ally Israel.
Last month, the White House extended the waiver, unlocking up to $10 billion more in frozen funds by enabling Iraq to pay the Iranian government for electricity services, according to the Washington Free Beacon.
The administration had already renewed the waiver program, which was established in 2018, in November.
after droning
The extended waiver was then set to expire again in March, but the administration reapproved it once more — just six weeks after three US service members were killed and dozens more injured in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants in Jordan in late January.
On Saturday, Iran launched some 300 drones and missiles at Israel in retaliation for an airstrike in Damascus on April 1.
The State Department has long insisted such waivers are “necessary” while Iraq “weans itself off Iranian energy imports” and develops its domestic oil and gas production. The White House claims the unfrozen funds can only be used for humanitarian purposes.
“None of Iran’s money held in restricted accounts overseas has gone to Iran, and we have not freed up any cash to Iran. Any notion to the contrary is false and misleading.” the State Department told The Post in a statement Sunday.
“That money is held in restricted accounts overseas with strict oversight and in close coordination between the Departments of Treasury and State.”
Asked if plans are in the works to increase pressure on Iran through additional sanctions after Saturday’s strike, the State Department said, “We are in ongoing engagement with allies and partners, including at the G7, on ways to increase pressure on Iran, but we cannot preview or detail measures under consideration.”
Defending record
Deal
In a statement to The Post, the White House stood by President Biden’s record on Iran, citing the US military’s efforts in thwarting Saturday’s attack, as well as imposing “more than 500 sanctions on Iran” since taking office.
“Precisely zero money from this electricity waiver is going to Iran. US sanctions remain in place and are continuing to prevent Iran’s money—whether from its oil sales under previous administrations or its electricity sales to Iraq that occurred— from flowing to Iran.”
Earlier this month, a group of 13 Republican senators led by Tim Scott (R-SC) wrote to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling for an end to sanction waivers.