(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) In the wake of a recent offensive attack by Iranian-backed Hamas on Israel, GOP lawmakers are scrutinizing President Joe Biden’s decision to release $6 billion in unfrozen Iranian assets.
The timing of this payment, which occurred on Sept. 11, has intensified the controversy, with lawmakers suggesting that the funds may have been used to support terrorism.
RIGHT NOW: Iran’s parliament is chanting “Death to Israel! Death to America!” as their terror cells massacre Israeli women and children
This is the regime that JOE BIDEN just gave $6BILLION & a pathway to nuclear weapons too
Pure evil
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 7, 2023
The Hamas assault, described by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a declaration of war, began on a Saturday morning, less than a month after the multi-billion-dollar payment.
“Just weeks ago, the Biden administration handed over $6 billion to Iran, and today, innocent Israelis were murdered by Iran-backed terrorists,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., said in a statement, as reported by Fox News. “We must continue to support our strongest ally in the Middle East and their right to defend themselves against these unprovoked, horrific attacks.”
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., took to social media to blast the potential links between the terrorist attack and the payout.
“This is exactly why so many Americans & Israelis were DISGUSTED to see [President Biden] give the Iranian regime $6 billion last month,” Scott said on Twitter. “Every dollar given to Iran funds terrorism in the Ayatollah’s quest to destroy Israel. Iran is behind today’s invasion & everyone must say that.”
This is exactly why so many Americans & Israelis were DISGUSTED to see @JoeBiden give the Iranian regime $6 billion last month. Every dollar given to Iran funds terrorism in the Ayatollah’s quest to destroy Israel.
Iran is behind today’s invasion & everyone must say that.
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) October 7, 2023
In the House, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., was equally vocal. “Make no mistake this is Islam’s ‘holy’ war and their ultimate goal is to wipe out all of Israel,” Greene stated. “America will not allow it. How much of the $6 billion dollars Joe Biden gave back to Iran funded this attack against Israel? President Trump would have NEVER given that money to Iran.”
We stand with our great friend and ally Israel as they declare war against Islamic terrorists.
Over 1,000 Iran backed Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, slaughtering Israeli citizens, right at the end of Sukkot, the feast of tabernacles.
Make no mistake this is Islam’s “holy” war…
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) October 7, 2023
The Biden administration has defended the payment, claiming that the funds could not be used for weaponry.
“This waiver allows for the transfer of funds from one location to another but does not change the fact that they can only be used to fund Iran’s purchases of humanitarian goods,” a State Department spokesperson alleged in September. “As we have said, no money is going to Iran directly and no taxpayer funds are being used. The funds held in South Korea are Iran’s funds.”
Shortly after the Hamas onslaught, disturbing video footage of the Iranian parliament chanting, “Death to Israel! Death to America” was widely shared on social media.