President Biden is facing intense backlash from Republicans over a reported $6 billion deal that secured the release of five American hostages from Iran.
The New York Times revealed that the United States negotiated the freedom of these hostages in exchange for the release of Iranian nationals serving sentences for violating sanctions.
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo strongly criticized the deal, arguing that Iran shouldn’t profit from holding Americans captive.
“Releasing $6 billion to the butchers in Tehran just so American hostages can go to a different type of prison is a terrible deal,” Pompeo tweeted.
Releasing $6 billion to the butchers in Tehran just so American hostages can go to a different type of prison is a terrible deal. Iran shouldn't profit from holding Americans hostage.
— Mike Pompeo (@mikepompeo) August 10, 2023
Others echoed this sentiment, stressing that releasing such a significant sum to Iran could incentivize further hostage-taking and fund the regime’s aggressive actions.
Sen. Jim Risch, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed concern that unfreezing these funds could embolden Iran and perpetuate the practice of using Americans as political pawns. New York Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney stated, “The U.S. government should NEVER negotiate with terrorists, let alone fund them.”
While I welcome home wrongfully detained Americans, unfreezing $6B in #Iranian assets dangerously further incentivizes hostage taking & provides a windfall for regime aggression. The Biden Admin must punish those who use Americans as political pawns and work to end this practice. https://t.co/n1cXH9ldzR
— Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member (@SenateForeign) August 10, 2023
Critics argue that the deal is particularly problematic given Iran’s history of supporting terrorism and its questionable behavior on the international stage. They view the move as yet another foreign policy failure for the Biden administration, following the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal.
The White House has yet to respond to the wave of criticism from Republicans.
The released American prisoners, including Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharghi, Morad Tahbaz, and two individuals remaining anonymous, were reportedly unjustly detained on spying charges.
