• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy Obama State Dept blocked FBI from arresting supporters of Iran nuclear program in US: Emails
Economy

Obama State Dept blocked FBI from arresting supporters of Iran nuclear program in US: Emails

by May 22, 2024
by May 22, 2024 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

The Obama-Biden State Department ‘actively interfered’ to prevent the FBI from executing arrest warrants on individuals illegally in the United States who were allegedly supporting Iranian financial efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction, whistleblowers told Sens. Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson. 

Fox News Digital obtained letters Grassley, R-Iowa, and Johnson, R-Wis., sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and Attorney General Merrick Garland on the matter. 

The Obama-Biden administration began its Joint Plan of Action, which served as the negotiating process for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, that was signed by then-President Obama in 2015. At the time, Obama said broader sanctions would remain in place, which the administration would ‘continue to enforce… vigorously.’

The United States, for decades during both Republican and Democratic administrations, imposed sanctions on ‘Iranian individuals, companies, and organizations for involvement in nuclear proliferation, ballistic missile development, support for terrorist groups, and human rights abuses.’ 

But Grassley and Johnson received unclassified and legally protected whistleblower disclosures which they say show that ‘while the Obama-Biden administration publicly committed to ‘preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons by raising the cost of Iran’s defiance of the international community,’ then-Secretary of State John Kerry actively interfered with the Federal Bureau of Investigation executing arrest warrants on individuals in the U.S. illegally supporting Iranian efforts, including financial efforts, to develop weapons of mass destruction and its ballistic missile program.’ 

The records, according to the senators, show that the Justice Department and FBI leadership, including then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch and then-FBI Director James Comey ‘failed to take the necessary steps to stop Kerry’s obstructive efforts against law enforcement.’

One email — an unclassified FBI email from August 25, 2017 — detailed at least eight instances connected to the Iran nuclear deal where ‘the FBI/DOJ/USG could have moved forward with the cases but the State Department chose to block them.’ 

According to the records, in six of these instances, the FBI ‘lost the opportunity to arrest the main subject.’ 

The email says that one of the subjects the FBI was unable to arrest was ‘on the Terrorism Watch List’ and another ‘returned to Iran.’ 

The email further says that the State Department ‘blocked’ one planned FBI arrest while the subject was ‘mid-flight and the subject was forced to leave the US immediately upon arrival.’ 

The email also claims at least two targets were arrested only after ‘State lifted their block…since the new [Trump] Administration took office.’ 

‘These warnings about the failure to arrest known Iranians subject to arrest warrants occurred as early as 2015 and was allegedly done due to political reasons,’ Grassley wrote. 

A July 2015 email shows ‘concerns were raised about stand down orders to arrest criminal Iranians.’ 

FBI official to an LA field office FBI official with subject line ‘HQ Support.’ 

An April 28, 2016 email states: ‘State has been blocking FBI actions where State has had a role for approval or concurrence—visas, lure ops primarily. We have prepared a package of several cases blocked by State and have been working it up the FBI/DOJ/State chain over the past 6 months.’ 

That email also noted that ‘DOJ was surprised by this a bit because extraditions are ministerial functions and not something State would/should block.’ 

Grassley and Johnson said additional unclassified FBI emails indicate that the State Department’s alleged interference into ongoing FBI investigations became such an issue that then-AG Loretta Lynch had to discuss the matter with Secretary Kerry. 

An unclassified email from April 29, 2016, described the take-away from a meeting between then AG Lynch and Kerry: ‘…now is not a ‘good time’ to be requesting approvals for extraditions or lures on Iran CP cases,’ the email said.

Another email from May 3, 2016, described alleged ‘tension’ between Lynch and Kerry: ‘…when the PC [Principals Committee] ended, Kerry packed up his stuff and rushed out without engaging with the AG at all. The issues remain unresolved.’ 

‘The records provided to our office show that the Obama/Biden administration’s State Department, under the leadership of John Kerry, actively and persistently interfered with FBI operations pertaining to lawful arrests of known terrorists, members of Iranian proliferation networks, and other criminals providing material support for Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs,’ Grassley and Johnson wrote. 

Grassley and Johnson said the records ‘also show that DOJ and FBI leadership apparently allowed it to happen until the Trump administration altered its course.’ 

Separately, a Nov. 29, 2016 email from Shell corporate to an FBI official within Comey’s office wrote: 

‘It seems Trump election win having impact on doing business in Iran. We are going to sign a small deal in Iran this week ($5 million licensing agreement.) We were in talks with a Japanese bank to handle the funds, but they have recently backed off, unofficially citing coming Trump presidency. European banks feeling the same way. Small amount of money, but having a dampening effect on doing business in Iran.’ 

Ex-FBI official Peter Strzok was copied on that email.

Now, Grassley and Johnson are demanding records from email archives of Kerry, now-CIA Director Bill Burns, Wendy Sherman, and now-Secretary of State Antony Blinken, by June 4. 

They are also demanding records with terms like Mohommad Javaz Zarif; the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA); the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA); Iran Nuclear Deal; Iran Proliferation/Counterproliferation; Law enforcement actions pertaining to Iranian citizens, to include visa lures, extraditions and related subject matter; and the case files for the eight cases mentioned.

The FBI and DOJ confirmed receipt of Grassley’s letter, but both declined to comment further. 

The State Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Shadow campaigns: 7 Democrat candidates who could step in if President Biden drops out of 2024 race
  • Russia launches largest drone attack on Kyiv since start of war, injuring 5
  • Senior House Dem calls on Biden to step aside, slams campaign’s ‘be quiet and fall in line’ strategy
  • Tennessee ban on transgender procedures for minors can be enforced: appeals court
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
Speaker Johnson’s office exodus: 4 top aides unveil departure plans
next post
One of Trump’s most controversial campaign managers is back but never really left

You may also like

Top Stock Gainers And Losers: IBRX +26.37%, CPRI -48.89%

October 28, 2024

Democrats press Supreme Court chief justice to investigate Clarence Thomas’...

April 9, 2023

Former doctor for Trump, Obama slams White House’s ‘malpractice’ in...

June 4, 2023

Graham warns Iran could ‘sprint to a nuclear weapon’ before...

July 28, 2024

White House lawyers who advised Reagan, Bush endorse Harris over...

August 23, 2024

House Republican dismisses China trolling on his support for TikTok...

January 20, 2023

Fox News Poll: Support for helping Ukraine fading

November 16, 2023

DeSantis mingles with congressional Republicans as Trump expands his endorsement...

April 19, 2023

United Nations spox insists ‘UNRWA does not work with Hamas’...

January 31, 2024

Former Ohio Gov. Bob Taft weighs in on hot-button constitutional...

April 25, 2023

    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 2,632 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

    Margin of error race between Harris-Trump...

    July 23, 2024

    ‘HeGetsUs’ abstains from abortion issue, says...

    February 19, 2023

    Top five moments from Secret Service...

    July 23, 2024
    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