The United States House of Representatives has halted the transfer of $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds, currently held in Qatar.
This decision comes in the wake of a hostage-prisoner exchange deal that took place in September. However, the transfer was put on hold by both Qatar and the U.S. following an attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7.
Iran stands accused of aiding Hamas in the orchestration of the attack, which had been in the planning stages for two years. It is alleged that Iran gave the go-ahead for the attack just a week before it was executed. Despite these allegations, the Biden administration has expressed no intention to refreeze the funds.
The legislation, known as the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act, was approved by a 307-119 vote in the House. Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX) supported the bill, emphasizing on the House floor the importance of holding President Biden accountable for what he described as a disastrous foreign policy concerning Iran. He further argued that the deal "incentivizes more hostage-taking."
The bill's purpose is "To freeze certain Iranian funds involved in the 2023 hostage deal between the United States and Iran, and for other purposes." It references unclassified documents related to a U.S. government assessment of Iran's funding of terrorism, stating, "Iran has historically provided up to $100 million annually in combined support to Palestinian terrorist groups, including Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestinian-General Command."
Both Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad are classified as terrorist organizations by the U.S.. The bill also quotes National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's comments made on October 10, just days after the attack on Israel.
"Iran is complicit in this attack in a broad sense because they have provided the lion's share of the funding for the military wing of Hamas, they have provided capabilities, they have provided support, and they have provided engagement and contact with Hamas over years and years," Sullivan stated.
However, Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that the government had "not yet seen evidence that Iran directed or was behind this particular attack."
In negotiating the hostage-prisoner exchange deal, which included an additional $6 billion in frozen funds for Iran, the Biden administration stipulated that the funds were to be used solely for humanitarian purposes. Yet, even if Iran were to comply with this condition, the extra $6 billion for humanitarian aid could potentially free up their budget for other activities.
The bill is not expected to be well-received in the U.S. Senate and its passage is uncertain.
Login