But the regime cannot explain how it can “guarantee the funds would not somehow be funneled into Iran’s terror campaign,” and they will. Money is fungible. If US taxpayer money is used for “humanitarian” purposes in Iran, other money is freed up for the mullahs’ jihad. This isn’t really rocket science here, yet these simple truths repeatedly elude the likes of Vedant Patel.
“US Continues To Evade Details Of Iran Deal,” Iran International, August 15, 2023:
US officials remain tight-lipped on the release of $6bn of frozen funds from South Korea to Iran as questions on its use remain unclear.
In the latest US State Department press briefing, Vedant Patel continued to push the line that the funds would primarily be used for “humanitarian” purposes, in line with the rules surrounding sanctions.
During a barrage of questions from the world’s media, he said: “It’s Iran’s money and allowing Iran to use such funds for humanitarian purposes is consistent with longstanding US policy to ensure that our sanctions do not prevent humanitarian goods and services from flowing to ordinary people no matter how objectionable or problematic their government is.”
However, the big question is, will the “ordinary people” see any benefit of the released funds, or will it simply get channeled into the regime’s military machine. Iranian officials have said that the funds will be transferred into euros once sent to Qatar, which will mean the US will not have a direct way to track wire transfers from accounts in Qatar that hold the money.
Meanwhile, as Iran International reported this week, additional media reports suggest not only a $6 billion release from South Korean banks, but also the unlocking of frozen funds in Iraq (estimated between $11-12 billion) and over $3 billion from Japan. These funds will be held in Qatar and Oman, designated for Iran’s purchases of essential goods such as food, medicine, and other humanitarian items.
In a bid to calm the storm, Patel said “any kinds of funds that move will be subject to the same rigorous restrictions once it moves out of South Korea”.
Attempting to explain the situation, his attempts were not well received. He added: “The reason these funds are in South Korea in the first place is because the previous administration allowed several countries to continue purchasing oil from Iran and to place those funds in special accounts. These funds have been available to Iran to use for humanitarian transactions, like food and medicine, since the previous administration.”
While Patel acknowledged the very real threat which remains of the regime’s destabilizing actions across the Middle East and beyond, including its provision of drones for Russia’s war on Ukraine and the suppression of human rights in Iran, he offered no answers as to how he could guarantee the funds would not somehow be funnelled into Iran’s terror campaign….