A number of Republican lawmakers are seeking more information about reports that South Korea was considering paying a ransom to Iran in exchange for the release of a ship seized by Tehran on Jan. 4.
The lawmakers wrote a letter to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken asking him to inform Congress of any role the United States plays in the ongoing negotiations with South Korea in this file.
“The Biden administration appears to be using loopholes when dealing with the Iranian regime… If the Biden administration is involved in transferring funds to Iran, Congress and the American people must be informed,” the Rep. Congressmen said in a letter addressed to Blinken.
They added: “Biden administration officials continue to deflect and refuse to answer questions from members of Congress regarding this issue… Congress must be informed of the administration’s actions.”
While they said they were “reassured” to hear Blinken deny claims of the US working with South Korea to unfreeze USD 1 billion in Iranian money, the congressman insisted they needed “a much clearer answer” to specifically address “any plans, intent or collaboration from the United States to allow Iran to access their South Korean frozen assets to make so-called humanitarian purchases through the Swiss Channel.”
The Republicans urged Blinken to answer their questions as quickly as possible and to continue to counter Iran’s activities.
“The Biden administration has to stop stonewalling and must come clean regarding whether they facilitated sanctions relief for the thugs in Tehran,” Republican Study Committee Chairman Jim Banks said.
