President Joe Biden has officially approved the transfer of $6 billion in frozen funds to the government of Iran as part of a prisoner swap deal.
The confirmation came on Monday, with the deal set to free five Americans currently being held captive in Iran in exchange for the release of five Iranian citizens being held in the United States.
Last week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed off on the waivers for the frozen funds. However, it was only after Blinken notified Congress on Monday, the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, that the deal was confirmed. In a statement, Blinken explained that the United States had committed to releasing the five Iranian nationals currently held in the country and allowing the transfer of approximately $6 billion in restricted Iranian funds held in South Korea to restricted accounts in Qatar. These funds will only be available for humanitarian trade.
The names of the Iranian prisoners have not yet been disclosed. However, the deal has already sparked sharp criticism from Republicans. Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas condemned Biden, stating, "First Joe Biden used 9/11 as an excuse to flee Afghanistan. Now he desecrates this day by paying ransom to the world's worst state sponsor of terrorism. Shameful." Republican Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa echoed this sentiment, calling the payment of $6 billion for hostages "ridiculous" and warning that it indirectly finances Iran's number one foreign policy: terrorism.
On the other hand, Democrats have praised Biden's decision and shifted blame onto former President Donald Trump. Representative Chris Murphy of Connecticut commended Biden, stating, "Good for President Biden. Continuing Trump's failed Iran policy makes no sense. These detainees deserve to be home."
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