The Biden administration announced new sanctions against Iran following the regime’s recent attacks against Israel, with President Biden coordinating with allies and bipartisan leaders in Congress for a comprehensive response. These new sanctions will target Iran’s missile and drone program, as well as entities supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iran’s Defense Ministry. The U.S. is also working to strengthen air and missile defense systems in the Middle East to degrade Iran’s military capacity. Over the past three years, the U.S. has sanctioned over 600 individuals and entities connected to terrorism, human rights abuses, and support for terrorist groups.
Republicans have criticized the Biden administration for not being tough enough on Iran, pointing to the extension of a waiver allowing Iran access to $10 billion in funds and the unlocking of $6 billion in sanctions relief for Iran as part of a prisoner swap deal just weeks before the recent attacks on Israel. Senator Marsha Blackburn claimed that President Biden’s policies have funded Iran’s attack on Israel, stating that under President Trump, Iran was broke. However, the White House has maintained that the Iranian regime has had no access to the unfrozen funds, which were intended for humanitarian assistance and not for the Iranian government.
Despite criticism, the Biden administration has continued to enforce sanctions against Iran, even adding new sanctions against 400 entities in Iran at the beginning of the administration. The administration has emphasized that the funds unfrozen were not meant for the Iranian regime but for approved vendors providing humanitarian assistance to the Iranian people. The focus is on preventing Iran from using funds for malicious activities, with ongoing efforts to hold the Iranian government accountable for destabilizing actions. The administration is working closely with allies, partners, and Congress to maintain pressure on Iran and confront its problematic behaviors.
The new sanctions announced by the Biden administration will further target Iran’s missile and drone programs, as well as entities supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iran’s Defense Ministry. The U.S. is also strengthening air and missile defense systems in the Middle East to erode Iran’s capabilities. The administration’s actions aim to continue a steady drumbeat of pressure on Iran to contain and degrade its military capacity while confronting its range of problematic behaviors. Efforts will be made in coordination with allies and partners to ensure that the Iranian government is held accountable for its destabilizing actions.
Criticism from Republicans regarding the Biden administration’s treatment of Iran has been ongoing, with concerns raised over the unfreezing of funds and sanctions relief provided to Iran. Republican senators have highlighted the difference in approach to Iran under President Trump, where the regime was under severe economic pressure. However, the Biden administration’s stance is that the unfrozen funds were intended for humanitarian assistance and were not accessible to the Iranian regime. Efforts to enforce sanctions and hold Iran accountable for malicious actions are ongoing, with a focus on ensuring that funds do not support destabilizing activities. The administration continues to work with allies and Congress to address Iran’s problematic behaviors.
