Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) will try to pass legislation to refreeze Iranian assets amid Hamas’s attacks against Israel.
The bill would refreeze the $6 billion in Iranian assets that the Biden administration unfroze as part of a prisoner exchange last month. The legislation comes as Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist group backed by Iran, has launched rockets and invaded Israel since Oct. 7, shooting and killing people, raping women, and taking people hostage.
“The path of resources, training, and lethal weapons from Tehran to terrorists throughout the Middle East is crystal clear. On Saturday, it enabled cold-blooded killers like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad to perpetrate the deadliest day of violence against Jews in decades,” said Mr. McConnell in a statement.
“The civilized world must reimpose serious consequences on the regime that aids and abets murderous evil against innocent Israelis,” he continued. “The United States must lead that effort by our example, and freezing Iranian assets is an important first step.”
“Iran is the world’s worst state sponsor of terrorism. In addition to funding Hamas’s devastating terrorist attacks against Israel, the regime’s proxies have attacked dozens of American targets in the region in recent years,” said Mr. Cotton in a statement.
“The Biden administration’s decision to let Iran access the $6 billion immediately freed up other money for the regime to fund its attacks in Israel,” said Mr. Cotton. “The Biden administration should immediately refreeze the funds.”
In a statement, Sen. Sherrod Brown (R-Ohio), chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, expressed support for the measure.
“Congress’s priority right now must be providing robust military, economic, and humanitarian aid to support Israel as they defend themselves against Hamas’s horrific terrorist attack. We must also confirm key national security nominees who play a critical role in working with their Israeli partners,” he said.
“While we undertake this work, the Banking and Housing Committee will examine the financing behind Hamas’s attacks, including whether cryptocurrency was involved, and what additional economic tools we need to stop state sponsors of terrorism, including Iran, from supporting Hamas and other terrorist groups,” continued Mr. Brown. “As we work to hold any state sponsors of terrorism accountable, the administration must freeze the $6 billion in Iranian assets.”
However, it is likely any senator will object to it and, therefore, the bill would need to go through regular order. Whether Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (R-N.Y.), who controls what comes onto the floor of the upper congressional chamber, will bring it up for a vote is to be determined.
The State Department has said that it has the ability to refreeze the $6 billion, which is sitting in an account in Qatar. They have said that the money is not fungible as it can only be used for humanitarian and other non-sanctioned activity. However, critics have pointed out that indeed because the funds are fungible, Iran can get $6 billion from elsewhere to fund its malign activities such as its support for terrorism.
At least 2,200 people reportedly have been killed, including 22 Americans, according to the Biden administration. Most of the deaths are on the Israeli side. According to the State Department, 20 Americans remain unaccounted for.
In response to the Hamas attacks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war to annihilate the terrorist group.
“All the places that Hamas hides in, operates from, we will turn them into ruins,” he said.
Israel has launched retaliatory strikes in Gaza, which Hamas controls. The area is now reportedly running out of electricity as the strip is relying on generators to maintain power.
