U.S. and Qatar agree to not release Iran's $6B
U.S. and Qatar agree to not release Iran's $6B
President Joe Biden's administration has been facing bipartisan pressure to make sure Iran wouldn't be able to access the money from a U.S. prisoner swap.
The U.S. and Qatari governments have agreed to block Iran from accessing any of the $6 billion it gained access to as part of a prisoner swap deal between the Biden administration and Tehran last month, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told House Democrats on Thursday, according to three sources familiar with his remarks, two of whom were in the room.
Punchbowl News was first to report on Adeyemo's comments.
The decision comes as the administration faced bipartisan pressure to block Iran’s access to the money as U.S. officials continue to investigate whether Iran had any direct involvement in Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel. The Biden administration has said the $6 billion in unfrozen Iranian oil assets could be used by Tehran only for humanitarian assistance.
The money was transferred last month from a South Korean bank to a bank in Qatar. Iran could only access the money through a series of steps, including oversight by the Treasury Department, administration officials have said.
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Were the prisoners transferred?
Yup
While I understand the intent, it leaves me worried on goodwill for any future prisoners.
Yep, I'm betting Iran is going to take a "Pepperidge Farm remembers" approach to discussion in the future.
Both valid points and something not considered on my part. Thank you.
Yeah that’ll go as well for us as them doing the inverse went for them
But what's to say they weren't waiting until the deal went through before giving Hamas the green light?
Wouldn't go to Iran anytime soon cause i bet they looking for new prisoners...