Senators are pushing the Biden administration to freeze $6 billion in assets recently reopened to Iran following details of its involvement in supporting terror attacks in Israel.
The Senate response includes Republicans and two Democrats, West Virginia's Joe Manchin and Montana's Jon Tester.
Israel war: Vulnerable Senate Democrats back GOP push to freeze $6 billion to Iran | Washington Examiner https://t.co/8CDMMqgFXL
— Melanie (@MellieMAGA) October 11, 2023
“I wasn’t supportive of the initial $6B transfer,” Manchin said, according to the Washington Examiner. “We should absolutely freeze these Iranian assets while we also consider additional sanctions.”
Tester, who chairs the Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee, said, “As American intelligence officials continue to investigate the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas, we should review our options to hold Iran accountable for any support they may have provided."
Take the $6 billion from Biden's ransom deal with Iran and give it to Israel to eradicate Hamas.https://t.co/HWR08CKoyI
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) October 10, 2023
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley argued that the U.S. should take the $6 billion given to Iran and instead give it to Israel to defend itself.
"Haley also urged the White House to provide Israel with all necessary arms and intelligence it may require to eradicate Hamas and to end taxpayer support for Palestinian entities and the United Nations–backed groups 'that side with Hamas or fail to denounce antisemitic activity,'" the National Review reported.
"She said as well that the United States must 'place all governments, particularly the government of Lebanon, on notice that they must not allow the use of their territory to engage in battle,'" it added.
BREAKING: Biden admin has no plans to freeze $6 billion they gave to Iran
“I don’t want to get ahead of the policy decisions going forward here.”https://t.co/pDfNmZZ2T3
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) October 9, 2023
"I don't want to get ahead of the policy decisions going forward here," John Kirby replied to reporters.
"As I said, last time, you and I talked about this, that money can be refrozen... We won't hesitate to make that decision if we feel we need to. But I'm not going to get ahead of a policy decision that hasn't been made yet," he stated.
The Iranian deal may be too late to change but many Americans are ready to do what is possible to block funding to Iran over its support of terrorism against Israel.
The Senate is likely to push ahead for an effort to oppose Iran, leading the White House to decide whether it will act on behalf of Israel.
