The Biden administration quietly extended sanctions waivers allowing Iran access to about $10 billion from Iraq two days after President-elect Donald Trump's Election Day victory.
The controversial waiver, which has been repeatedly extended by Secretary of State Antony Blinken despite strong opposition from Congressional Republicans, allows the Iranian regime to access funds from Iraq in exchange for power purchases. be.
“November 7th, [State Department] “We have renewed Iraq's electricity waiver for the 23rd time since 2018,” State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel confirmed last week.
“It took place for another 120 days,” Patel noted. This period will coincide with the first few months of President Trump's second term.
Under the terms of the exemption, Iran would receive nearly $10 billion held in an escrow account in Iraq, which U.S. officials say could only be used for humanitarian trade. claims.
However, the exemption extension will allow the Iranian regime to transfer electricity bills to an account in Oman, allowing the Islamic Republic to exchange them into other currencies to purchase non-sanctioned products.
It is unclear whether the 78-year-old Trump intends to rescind Iran's sanctions waivers when he returns to office.
In September, the Department of Justice accused Iran of hacking Trump campaign staff and leaking classified information to the media and the campaigns of President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in an attempt to undermine the 45th president's White House. Three members of the Revolutionary Guards were indicted. bid.
The Trump-Vance transition team did not respond to The Post's request for comment.
The State Department was quick to point out that the administration also agreed to a waiver during President Trump's first term.
“Since 2018, as you know, this started with the previous administration, the State Department has allowed Iraq to purchase Iranian power while Iraq continues to develop its domestic power generation capacity,” Patel said. he said.
“We remain committed to mitigating Iran's negative impact in the region,” the State Department official added. “Our view is that Iraq's stability, sovereignty and security are essential to these efforts.”
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) argued Tuesday that sanctions waivers have allowed the Iranian regime to finance terrorism.
“The House has twice voted to repeal these immunity authorities. However, the Biden administration is still waiving sanctions and putting more money in the Iranian regime’s pockets to fund its terrorist proxies and nuclear weapons program. Mr. McCall wrote to X.
“The United States should not subsidize Iran's malign activities,” he added.
