Central ND News

Senators Demand Transparency from Biden Administration Following Release of Additional Iran Sanctions Waivers

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Ranking Member Tim Scott (R-SC) have raised concerns over the Biden administration's decision to renew a $10 billion Iran sanctions waiver. In a letter addressed to Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the senators demanded transparency regarding payments to Iran and accountability from the administration.

"We write again to express concern regarding the Biden administration’s ongoing strategy of appeasement in response to Iranian aggression," the senators expressed in their letter. They highlighted that the decision to make restricted funds more accessible to Iran comes at a time of heightened Iranian-backed aggression in the region, questioning the administration's national security interests.

The senators emphasized the importance of restricting Iran's access to currency abroad, stating, "If we want to actually restore deterrence in the region, those funds should be placed further out of Iran’s reach, not closer." They also criticized the administration for expanding Iran's access to funds without providing sufficient information on a strategy to restore deterrence in the Middle East.

Alongside Senator Cramer and Senator Scott, several other Republican senators cosigned the letter, including Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tom Cotton (R-AR), and others.

Senator Cramer has been actively involved in addressing issues related to Iran and has previously demanded answers from the administration on matters concerning Iran sanctions and funds. He co-sponsored the Revoke Iranian Funding Act, which aims to prevent the regime from using funds held in Qatar to finance terrorist activities against Israel or any other nation.

The Biden administration's decision to renew the Iran sanctions waiver has sparked concerns among Republican senators, prompting calls for transparency and accountability in handling payments to Iran.

GOP Senators Express Concern Over Biden Administration's Renewal of Iran Sanctions Waiver