Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, the White House national security communications adviser responded to Iran's recent direct attacks against Israel by attributing blame to former President Trump for allegedly emboldening Iran. The latest incident saw Israel successfully defending against a barrage of over 300 drones and missiles launched from Iran, with the assistance of neighboring countries and allies like the U.S.
Despite the attack, the Biden administration reportedly advised Israel against retaliating against Iran, a move that has drawn criticism from various quarters. Former President Trump criticized the perceived weakness of the Biden administration's response, contrasting it with what he believed would have been a stronger stance under his leadership.
Questions have been raised about the Biden administration's approach towards Iran, particularly regarding the granting of waivers on sanctions and unfreezing of assets. The administration recently approved a sanctions waiver allowing Iraq to purchase energy from Iran, potentially providing the Iranian regime access to significant funds.
When pressed on whether the administration could have taken a tougher stance on Iran, the White House adviser defended the actions, pointing to the previous administration's decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal as a factor contributing to Iran's nuclear ambitions.
President Biden issued a warning about the possibility of an Iranian attack on Israel, emphasizing the need for restraint. However, GOP senators criticized what they perceived as a lack of deterrence in the Biden administration's response, with some suggesting that the administration's policies had inadvertently funded Iran's aggression.
Despite the criticisms, the White House adviser maintained that the additional funds provided to Iran through sanctions relief were earmarked for humanitarian purposes and not for supporting the regime or its proxies. He refuted claims that the funds were fungible and could be redirected towards nefarious activities.
