Money Control Place
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Stocks
  • Investing
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Stocks
  • Investing

Money Control Place

Politics

House Republican rips ‘naivete’ of Biden admin’s $6B Iran prisoner swap deal

by August 14, 2023
August 14, 2023
House Republican rips ‘naivete’ of Biden admin’s $6B Iran prisoner swap deal

Rep. Mike McCaul, R-Texas, ridiculed the agreement orchestrated by the Biden administration for Iran to release five Americans in exchange for $6 billion in assets and jailed Iranians. 

‘Reagan said trust but verify. I have to use the word naïveté,’ McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said during an appearance on ‘Fox News Sunday.’

‘Look I want to get these Americans home more than anybody. And one of them is a critical asset,’ McCaul said. ‘I agree with that, but we have to go in eyes wide open; $6 billion that is now going to go into Iran and prop up their proxy war terror operations, and their nuclear bomb aspirations. They are now starting to talk about the JCPOA all over again, which in my judgment leads down a course to a legal nuclear bomb in Iran. Prime Minister Netanyahu came out strongly against this. I think we’re going back to the mistakes of the past.’ 

McCaul also referenced how the State Department placed President Biden’s envoy for Iran, Robert Malley, on unpaid leave in June amid a review into his security clearance. 

‘Our special envoy to Iran to negotiate the JCPOA is under investigation for mishandling classified information,’ McCaul said. ‘He has the most sensitive information as our top negotiator to Iran and to the ayatollah, now under investigation for mishandling classified information – very troubling story.’ 

Later on the same program, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., defended the prisoner swap agreement, arguing that the billions of funds would be controlled by Qatar. 

Iran has moved five Iranian Americans from prison to house arrest in exchange for billions of dollars frozen in South Korea, U.S. and Iranian officials said Thursday, as part of a tentative deal that follows months of heightened tensions between the two countries. Iran acknowledged that the deal involves $6 billion to $7 billion that were frozen as a result of sanctions. Iranian officials said the money would be transferred to Qatar before being sent on to Iran if the agreement goes through.

The final transfer of the money – and the release of the five detainees – is expected in the next month or so due to the complicated nature of the financial transactions, officials said.

In a statement Friday, Iran’s Ministry if Foreign Affairs said, ‘The decision on how to utilize these unfrozen resources and financial asserts lies with the Islamic Republic of Iran.’ The statement ran counter to the claim that the money would only be released by Qatar to Iran for specific purposes.

Fox News host Shannon Bream noted critics of the agreement said it amounts to an exorbitant ransom payment. 

‘But again, it’s not,’ Smith said. ‘Where were those real concerns during the Trump administration when money from a bunch of other countries was being transferred to Iran no strings attached, no prisoners returned? It just doesn’t seem like a legitimate complaint based on the facts of the situation.’ 

‘That’s a fundamental misunderstanding of what this money is,’ Smith argued, pushing back against former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s criticism that the deal would mean placing a bounty on Americans’ heads. ‘It’s not a bounty because we’re not paying the money. It’s Iran’s money that was sitting in South Korea.’

‘Withheld under sanctions,’ Bream interjected, adding clarification. Smith further stated, ‘It’s not a bounty.’ 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Fox News Digital covering politics, crime, police and more. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on Twitter: @danimwallace. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
White House reporter sues Karine Jean-Pierre after losing press pass
next post
Christie speculates Trump could make last-minute pledge to prevent ban from first debate

Related Posts

Russia not ‘bluffing’ with nuclear threats as Biden...

June 2, 2024

US says Russia rejected proposal for release of...

December 6, 2023

Jim Jordan announces bid for House speaker after...

October 5, 2023

Critics slam UN after it lowers flag to...

May 22, 2024

Poland sees massive nationalist march honoring ‘God, family...

November 13, 2023

Jewish schools in UK increasing security measures as...

October 11, 2023

The 2024 wild card: How Trump trial verdict...

May 23, 2024

Jill Biden’s State of the Union guests: Alabama...

March 8, 2024

Former Trump national security adviser details potential game...

June 24, 2024

Trump accepts Biden offer to debate him in...

May 16, 2024

    Get free access to all of the retirement secrets and income strategies from our experts! or Join The Exclusive Subscription Today And Get the Premium Articles Acess for Free


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Latest

    • Run Your Stock Portfolio Like a Pro Sports Team

    • Leadership Rotation Could Confirm Corrective Phase

    • Breakouts, Momentum & Moving Averages: 10 Must-See Stock Charts Right Now

    • 1911 Gold Temporarily Suspends Operations at True North Complex due to Bissett Evacuation Order

    • Ontario Backs Down on Key Bill 5 Provisions, Echoes BC’s Mining Debate

    • Appeals Court Grants Trump Temporary Reprieve on Tariffs, “TACO” Taunts Gain Steam

    Categories

    • Business (1,223)
    • Investing (2,503)
    • Politics (3,699)
    • Stocks (1,614)
    • Uncategorized (20)
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: MoneyControlPlace.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 moneycontrolplace.com | All Rights Reserved