Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley on Sunday tore into Secretary of State Antony Blinken for denying any link between the Biden administration’s prisoner swap deal that froze $6 billion in Iranian assets and Hamas attacks on Israel.
“I actually think it’s irresponsible for Secretary Blinken to say that $6 billion isn’t heavy here,” Haley told NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday.
“I mean let’s be honest with the American people and understand that Hamas knows and Iran knows they’re moving money as we speak because they know $6 billion is going to be released.”
$6 billion earned from Iranian oil revenues has been locked in South Korean accounts because of international sanctions.
Blinken told CNN earlier on Sunday that “not one dollar has been spent from that account,” which he stressed is being closely monitored by the US Treasury Department.
Nikki Haley has called on Israel to ‘finish’ Hamas in retaliation for a massive attack on the Jewish State.AP
US officials agreed to allow Iran to use the money for humanitarian purposes only during a prisoner exchange deal finalized last month.
But GOP critics like former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has argued that the money could be used.
“This terror was funded by Biden’s stupid release of $6 billion to the people of Iran. Hamas’s war against Israel is now the second war started under failed president Biden,” Christie wrote on X, previously on Twitter.
“This newer $6 billion — they’re saying this money can’t be used for that. And that may be true, but money can be used…they really empower some really bad people,” DeSantis told Newsmax.
Follow The Post’s live blog for the latest news on Hamas attacks on Israel
Haley echoed many of those sentiments.
“Look at what the people of Iran, the Iranian regime have done to threaten Israel all this time,” he continued. “They divert money to threaten those they hate. They hate Israel. They hate America.”
Most of the 2024 Republican candidates have condemned Hamas’ bloody attacks on Israel. Getty Images
On Sunday Blinken told CNN, “we have yet to see evidence that Iran ordered” the recent attacks from Hamas, which caught Israel’s defense and intelligence forces off guard.
He’s not the only Biden administration official to counter GOP criticism of the $6 billion.
“This is a shameful lie in every respect, at a time when both sides should be fully united in supporting Israel’s defense. Not a single penny was spent. They will not go to the Iranian government,” White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates said on X Saturday.
This is a shameful lie in every way, at a time when both sides should be fully united in supporting Israel’s defense.
-Not a cent is spent-They will not go to the Iranian government-They can only be used for the purchase of verifiable humanitarian needs like food & medicine https://t.co/Cp46b69BqC
— Andrew Bates (@AndrewJBates46) October 7, 2023
Behind the scenes, the Biden administration is reportedly interested in reviving the Iran nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Haley, who served as US ambassador to the United Nations from 2017 to 2018 under the Trump administration, has flexed her foreign policy on the campaign trail.
He has long positioned himself as a staunch friend of Israel and a staunch opponent of Iran.
“I’m very concerned about the fact that Iran has said the easiest way to get into America is through the southern border,” Haley said. “We have open borders. People come. They are not checked. We don’t have to wait for 9/11 anymore.”
Immediately after news of the Hamas rampage broke, Haley declared that the attack was not only aimed at Israel, but was also “an attack on America”.
“Finish them,” he added.
Fireballs and smoke rise from an explosion at a Palestinian apartment tower following an Israeli air strike in Gaza City.AP Smoke billows from a boat following an Israeli strike, in Gaza Port.REUTERS
Blinken emphasized that the Biden administration is supporting Israel as it launches counterattacks to eliminate the terrorist threat from Hamas.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed “great revenge” and that Israel will emerge “victorious.”
The Israeli cabinet invoked Article 40 of Aleph, marking the first officially declared war since 1973.
More than 600 Israelis were killed in the fighting and 2,000 wounded, according to Israeli officials.
In addition, more than 313 Palestinians were reported dead and 1,990 were reported missing, including 20 killed and 121 children injured, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
