The Treasury Department recently acknowledged that funds sent directly to Iran are used to finance the 'violent' activities of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps before being allocated for the country's people and humanitarian aid. This revelation has prompted Sen. Tim Scott to seek clarification from Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen following Deputy Secretary Adewale Adeyemo's testimony on Iran's utilization of humanitarian aid.
Adeyemo highlighted the Iranian regime's tendency to prioritize the Revolutionary Guard Corps over the well-being of its citizens, stating that any dollar received by Iran is channeled towards violent activities rather than addressing the needs of the population. Consequently, Adeyemo emphasized that minimal humanitarian funds are actually utilized for their intended purposes due to the regime's neglect of its people.
Sen. Scott expressed concerns about U.S.-enabled initiatives that inadvertently bolster Iran's access to sanctioned funds, which ultimately support terrorist proxies in the Middle East. He emphasized the detrimental impact of current sanctions relief and humanitarian assistance schemes on U.S. national security interests.
Scott's apprehensions were further heightened by Adeyemo's testimony, which underscored the risks associated with increasing Iran's oil exports and subsequent revenue generation for the regime. The senator stressed the imperative need to prevent any sanctioned funds from reaching Iran, given the country's history of redirecting humanitarian aid towards violent activities.
In response to Scott's inquiries, the Treasury Department clarified that there are distinct categories of funds related to Iran—humanitarian aid held in foreign banks awaiting transfer and funds already present within Iran. Adeyemo affirmed that the humanitarian money remains inaccessible to Iran as it is tied up in financial institutions outside the country.
Regarding funds within Iran, Adeyemo reiterated that the regime consistently prioritizes the Revolutionary Guard Corps over its citizens when allocating resources. He emphasized that none of the dollars held inside Iran have been or will be utilized for humanitarian purposes.
Sen. Mark Warner sought clarification on the potential use of humanitarian aid as internal funds in Iran, to which Adeyemo categorically stated that no such transfer has occurred or will occur. Adeyemo's testimony shed light on the complexities of managing financial flows to Iran and the challenges in ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches those in need.
