As tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate, a group of Republican Congressmen have ramped up their efforts to freeze over $6 billion of Iranian funds from the country’s designated terrorist organization, Hamas. The freeze, which is being sought in order to prevent the group from receiving further financing, would result in any payments to the Islamist organization from being prohibited.
The call to freeze the funds has been made by Republicans Senator Lindsey Graham, Senator Ted Cruz, Senator Marsha Blackburn among several other GOP lawmakers. The push has been backed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2253, which would curb terrorist organizations, such as Hamas, from gaining additional financing.
Moreover, the Republican senators are reportedly using President Trump’s executive order of 2019 as part of their effort to freeze the Iranian funds. President Trump had issued the executive order in order to counter the financing of terrorism, giving the Treasury Department the ability to freeze the funds of anyone associated with a number of terrorist organizations.
While the Republican senators have put forth this effort to refreeze the $6 billion in Iranian funds, they have encountered considerable opposition. Critics of the freeze have stated that the measure would amount to nothing more than posturing; with the funds being so hard to trace, it is seen as unlikely that any significant steps could be taken in actually blocking the money.
Additionally, it has been argued by some that the move is politically-motivated, with the legislators looking for a way to demonstrate their stance on Iranian terrorism. This could be especially the case for Senator Lindsey Graham, who has frequently provided support for President Trump’s efforts against Iran.
The Republican senators’ push to refreeze the $6 billion in Iranian funds appears to be a controversial one, with the measure thus far having its share of both opponents and supporters. Ultimately, it remains to be seen whether or not their efforts will be successful, as the remaining days of the Trump administration are filled with uncertainty.