Democratic senators call to refreeze $6B Iranian ‘ransom’ funds

Influential Democratic senators have publicly pressed the Biden administration to try to find a way to freeze $6 billion in Iranian funds because of Tehran’s support for Hamas. The pressure from within the president’s own party comes as the White House says there is no confirmation of Iran’s support for the horrific Hamas attack — even as it acknowledges Iran’s long-standing support for the group.

Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), a Democratic centrist running for re-election in 2024, is among those calling for the funds to be re-committed. “As U.S. intelligence officials continue to investigate terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas, we should be reconsidering our options for holding Iran accountable for any support it may have provided,” he said. “At a minimum, we should immediately freeze $6 billion in Iranian assets and explore other financial tools at our disposal,” she said, the Hill quoted her as saying.

Also standing was Sen. Joe Manchin (DW.Va.), who is also facing re-election. “I did not support the original transfer of $6 billion. We should absolutely freeze Iran’s assets while we consider additional declarations,” he said. The administration negotiated the release of the funds in a deal last month that bought the release of five Americans held hostage in Iran. The then-frozen funds were transferred from South Korea to Qatar, where they are now subject to supervision.

Under the terms of the deal, the money must be used for “humanitarian” purposes, but Republican critics have raised concerns that it could still be used to subsidize terror by freeing up other funds. It all comes as Israel prepares for a possible ground invasion of Gaza after shelling multiple targets there since Saturday’s attack inside Israel. The White House says it is reviewing past intelligence and seeking to determine whether Iran provided direct support for the attack, but has so far been unable to prove it. Israel also said there is no “smoking gun”.

Sen. Jackie Rosen (D-Nev.) isn’t expecting more information, based on what Hamas has already done. “In light of Hamas’s violent and horrific terrorist attack on Israel and Iran’s longstanding support for Hamas, we should freeze these assets,” she said in a statement to Politico. “This was clearly an attack that was planned for months or more, the idea that somehow there’s a connection there doesn’t pass the smell test,” said Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the House Intelligence Chairman.

President Biden did not mention Iran or the $6 billion in his speech on Tuesday. “Let me say it again, any country, any organization, anyone who thinks about taking advantage of the situation, I have one word: don’t,” Biden said. Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said “not one dollar” of the $6 billion has yet been spent.

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