US Appears to Consider Blocking Iran's Access to $6 Billion

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

58% : "There's an administrative process -- there has to be, because it's a federal agency undertaking action.
53% : Instead, it would be paid directly to pre-approved vendors of food, agricultural and medical supplies who would then deliver their goods to Iran.
51% : Congressional actionBy Thursday, multiple Democrats in Congress, particularly the approximately half-dozen members of the Senate facing tight reelection challenges in 2024, called on the administration to refreeze the $6 billion in funds.
50% : In remarks to reporters in Israel where he has been meeting with Israeli officials, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. may still formally block the funds from being disbursed.
48% : "To stand by and allow Iran access to these funds as Hamas infiltrates Israel and murders, rapes, and mutilates countless Israelis is unconscionable," they wrote.
48% : "While Iran and Hamas have long had a close connection, which includes financial support from the Islamic Republic, U.S. officials have said that so far, they have seen no proof that Iran helped plan Hamas' sortie from Gaza into southern Israel on Saturday.
46% : The arguments focused on the fact that money is "fungible" -- meaning if Iran received $6 billion worth of supplies as a result of the deal, that would free up money for it to spend on other things, such as support for terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
34% : Several administration officials weighed in on the topic Thursday, less than a week after the Hamas militant group, which is supported by Iran, staged a violent attack on Israel, slaughtering more than 1,300 people and taking around 150 hostage, including children and the elderly.
33% : Under pressure from Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Congress to block Iran from accessing $6 billion in oil revenues made available as part of a recent prisoner exchange deal, the Biden administration signaled Thursday it is considering refreezing the funds.
32% : "Your administration claims these funds are only available for humanitarian use, but money is fungible, and there is a significant risk they could be used to further efforts by Iran or Hamas against Israel.
26% : Under the agreement the Biden administration struck with Iran, the money was only to be used for the purchase of humanitarian supplies.

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