• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy House Republican rips ‘naivete’ of Biden admin’s $6B Iran prisoner swap deal
Economy

House Republican rips ‘naivete’ of Biden admin’s $6B Iran prisoner swap deal

by August 14, 2023
by August 14, 2023 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

Rep. Mike McCaul, R-Texas, ridiculed the agreement orchestrated by the Biden administration for Iran to release five Americans in exchange for $6 billion in assets and jailed Iranians. 

‘Reagan said trust but verify. I have to use the word naïveté,’ McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said during an appearance on ‘Fox News Sunday.’

‘Look I want to get these Americans home more than anybody. And one of them is a critical asset,’ McCaul said. ‘I agree with that, but we have to go in eyes wide open; $6 billion that is now going to go into Iran and prop up their proxy war terror operations, and their nuclear bomb aspirations. They are now starting to talk about the JCPOA all over again, which in my judgment leads down a course to a legal nuclear bomb in Iran. Prime Minister Netanyahu came out strongly against this. I think we’re going back to the mistakes of the past.’ 

McCaul also referenced how the State Department placed President Biden’s envoy for Iran, Robert Malley, on unpaid leave in June amid a review into his security clearance. 

‘Our special envoy to Iran to negotiate the JCPOA is under investigation for mishandling classified information,’ McCaul said. ‘He has the most sensitive information as our top negotiator to Iran and to the ayatollah, now under investigation for mishandling classified information – very troubling story.’ 

Later on the same program, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., defended the prisoner swap agreement, arguing that the billions of funds would be controlled by Qatar. 

Iran has moved five Iranian Americans from prison to house arrest in exchange for billions of dollars frozen in South Korea, U.S. and Iranian officials said Thursday, as part of a tentative deal that follows months of heightened tensions between the two countries. Iran acknowledged that the deal involves $6 billion to $7 billion that were frozen as a result of sanctions. Iranian officials said the money would be transferred to Qatar before being sent on to Iran if the agreement goes through.

The final transfer of the money – and the release of the five detainees – is expected in the next month or so due to the complicated nature of the financial transactions, officials said.

In a statement Friday, Iran’s Ministry if Foreign Affairs said, ‘The decision on how to utilize these unfrozen resources and financial asserts lies with the Islamic Republic of Iran.’ The statement ran counter to the claim that the money would only be released by Qatar to Iran for specific purposes.

Fox News host Shannon Bream noted critics of the agreement said it amounts to an exorbitant ransom payment. 

‘But again, it’s not,’ Smith said. ‘Where were those real concerns during the Trump administration when money from a bunch of other countries was being transferred to Iran no strings attached, no prisoners returned? It just doesn’t seem like a legitimate complaint based on the facts of the situation.’ 

‘That’s a fundamental misunderstanding of what this money is,’ Smith argued, pushing back against former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s criticism that the deal would mean placing a bounty on Americans’ heads. ‘It’s not a bounty because we’re not paying the money. It’s Iran’s money that was sitting in South Korea.’

‘Withheld under sanctions,’ Bream interjected, adding clarification. Smith further stated, ‘It’s not a bounty.’ 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Fox News Digital covering politics, crime, police and more. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on Twitter: @danimwallace. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • NC Republicans ask high court to reconsider redistricting, voter ID decisions
  • Blinken, US delegation drive from Paris to Brussels after his plane again suffers a ‘mechanical issue’
  • Fox News Poll: Trump has edge over Biden in potential 2024 rematch
  • Biden garners 67K TikTok followers on first day using Chinese-owned app he banned over security concerns
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
Hawaii Gov Josh Green says ‘very real’ global warming caused conditions for deadly wildfire
next post
Banking issues and scams are on the rise, leaving customers facing an uphill battle for help

You may also like

Navy shoots down ballistic missiles launched by Iran-backed Houthis in...

December 27, 2023

California reparations committee calls for mandatory ‘anti-bias’ training to graduate...

May 10, 2023

Biden top adviser Anita Dunn leaves White House for super...

July 30, 2024

DOJ indicts Florida duo for threatening crisis pregnancy centers in...

January 25, 2023

Greg Abbott working to ‘swiftly’ pardon Army Sergeant convicted of...

April 9, 2023

Dramatic footage captures chaos at the southern border as Title...

May 12, 2023

Coca-Cola quietly deletes language supporting BLM after Ted Cruz calls...

October 21, 2023

Biden White House rejects ICC sanctions proposed by lawmakers after...

May 29, 2024

Biden needs to learn from Carter about standing up to...

February 19, 2024

China, North Korea aggression drives record Japanese military spending splurge

January 14, 2024

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Krispy Kreme stock plunges after doughnut chain pauses McDonald’s rollout, pulls outlook

      May 8, 2025
    • Don’t Buy Robinhood Stock… Until You See This Chart Setup

      May 8, 2025
    • UnitedHealthcare sued by shareholders over reaction to CEO’s killing

      May 8, 2025
    • The Unpredictable Stock Market: How to Make Sense of It

      May 8, 2025
    • AMD CEO calls China a ‘large opportunity’ and warns against strict U.S. chip controls

      May 7, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,633 views
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,339 views
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 2,320 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,303 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,186 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,066)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,530)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Krispy Kreme stock plunges after doughnut chain pauses McDonald’s rollout,...

      May 8, 2025
    • Don’t Buy Robinhood Stock… Until You See This Chart Setup

      May 8, 2025
    • UnitedHealthcare sued by shareholders over reaction to CEO’s killing

      May 8, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,066)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,530)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Kentucky Gov. Beshear signs bill to...

    April 5, 2023

    SafeMoon and Litecoin: Levels and Prices...

    October 15, 2024

    ‘ABSOLUTELY NOT’: Republicans blast Graham’s effort...

    July 9, 2023
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here