(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) President Joe Biden is facing intense criticism from lawmakers and experts after the New York Times confirmed the funneling of $6 billion to Iran in exchange for the release of five detained Americans.
The move, aimed at securing the freedom of Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz, Emad Shargi and two unnamed Americans, has sparked a heated debate over the effectiveness of such a policy and its potential consequences.
In a press release, Adrienne Watson, the National Security Council spokesperson said, “We have received confirmation that Iran has released from prison five Americans who were unjustly detained and has placed them on house arrest.”
While the White House warned that the Americans “should have never been detained in the first place,” it celebrated the news as a victory for Biden.
Critics, however, argued that this approach sets a dangerous precedent and could embolden Iran to engage in further hostile actions.
Prominent voices, including Sen. Tom Cotton, R- Ark., expressed concerns about the payment being perceived as ransom, potentially encouraging Iran to continue taking hostages and funding terrorist activities
Iran will also use these ill-gotten gains to attack our troops, fund terrorism, and arm Russia. This cycle will continue until President Biden stops dancing to Iran’s tune and starts responding firmly and decisively to their aggression.
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) August 10, 2023
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. echoed these sentiments, stating, “The best way to protect Americans is to have countries like Iran be afraid of taking Americans hostage in the first place.”
GOP Reps. Nicole Malliotakis, N.Y. and Barry Loudermilk, Ga., also strongly condemned the decision, with Malliotakis calling it a “lopsided deal” that encourages bad behavior and terrorism. Similarly, Loudermilk criticized the administration’s foreign policy decisions in the wake of the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Rep. Darrel Issa chimed in, saying, “By paying billions in ransom to Iran, Biden is financing the world’s worst terror state.”
Another lopsided deal by @POTUS and his administration! The USA should NOT be handing over BILLIONS to the world's leading sponsor of terrorism. And Iran KEEPS American hostages? This makes no sense and only encourages more kidnappings and other bad behavior!
— Office of Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (@RepMalliotakis) August 10, 2023
Just when the American people thought Biden’s foreign policy couldn’t get any more disastrous, after his failed Afghanistan withdrawal, he kowtows to Iran. The American people deserve better. pic.twitter.com/CTchP4Qf5J
— Rep. Barry Loudermilk (@RepLoudermilk) August 10, 2023
The $6 billion payout comes days after the Biden foreign policy came under scrutiny from Gold Star parents who blamed Biden officials for the death of 13 U.S. servicemen in the chaotic Biden-ordered withdrawal from Afghanistan.
“Be a grown a** man,” Darren Hoover, father of Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, said in a now-viral testimony referring to President Biden. “Admit to your mistakes. Learn from them so that this doesn’t happen ever, ever again. You all need to resign immediately.”
