Posted on 04/20/2015 12:12:51 PM PDT by Dave346
Largest cash infusion to terror regime in recent memory, experts say
The State Department on Monday would not rule out giving Iran up to $50 billion as a so-called signing bonus for agreeing to a nuclear deal later this year, according to comments made to journalists following reports that the Obama administration had formulated a plan to release tens of billions of frozen Iranian funds.
Experts have said this multi-billion dollar signing bonus option, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, could be the largest cash infusion to a terror-backing regime in recent memory.
A cash release of $30 to $50 billion upon reaching a final nuclear agreement would come in addition to the more than $11 billion in unfrozen assets that Iran will already have received under an interim nuclear accord reached in 2013.
When asked to address these reports on Monday, State Department Spokeswoman Marie Harf attempted to dodge the issue and then accused reporters of getting spun up on the issue.
Asked whether Iran could receive $50 billion on day one after signing or verbally agreeing to a nuclear deal, Harf told reporters that she would look into it.
When pressed to provide an answer about the Journals initial report, Harf declined to go line by line in the story.
Harf said sanctions relief to Iran will continue through June 30.
Theyre getting access to money throughout this period as well, she said. Throughout the extension theyre now getting some sanctions relief, which will continue through June 30.
Jonathan Schanzer, a top terrorism-funding expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), said such a cash release to Iran would enable the regime to continue backing various terror groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
This could be the largest cash infusion to a state sponsor of terrorism in modern history, Schanzer said.
Reports of this signing bonus come following concessions to Iranwhich range from sanctions relief to continued nuclear work at military sitesduring the most recent round of negotiations in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Lawmakers and experts critical of the Obama administrations diplomacy with Iran have warned that a slew of recent concessions in the talks would enable Iran to continue many aspects of its nuclear program.
Iran is pushing to prohibit international inspectors from accessing possible military sites until after the United States provides substantial relief from economic sanctions.
Nuclear experts such as David Albright, founder of the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), have warned that premature sanctions relief could gut the tough inspections and oversight regime on Iran promised by the Obama administration.
Under the framework agreement, Iran also would be permitted to store around 1,000 advanced nuclear centrifuges at an underground and fortified one-time military site known as Fordow, according to the Associated Press.
By keeping Fordow active, Iran would potentially be able to produce weapons-grade material in just a few weeks, according to Albright.
The New York Times reported that Iran is refusing to give up its stockpile of enriched uranium, the key component in a nuclear bomb. Under previous conditions, Iran would have had to ship these materials out of the country.
These stockpiles would also give Iran the ability to produce highly enriched weapons-grade uranium in less than six months, according to experts.
One congressional aide apprised of the ongoing talks with Iran said the administration continues to relent on key demands in order to keep Iran at the bargaining table.
This is a disturbing yet unsurprising development in a failing series of negotiations, the source said. Once again, it seems the administration is prepared to make drastic concessions to Tehran in its desperate attempt to reach a deal. As a result, the United States will gamble away its remaining negotiating leverage with nothing to show for it.
The game is to constrain China. If this feckless bunch thinks Iran will be a reliable ally they are crazier than anyone realized.
Instead of reading this mis-info neocon article, find the source.
This happened last Friday, and the WSJ article was published by many websites.
If you keep up with the details of the issue, undoing the sanctions is a sticking point
Set up a compensation fund for those who had assets taken from Cuba and Venezuela. Pay those who had property stolen by those dictators with the frozen assets.
Provide Iran with a credit to be paid to them by Cuba and Venezuela. Let them work it out.
Nah, the end is where this deal gets twisted as some great legacy building achievement. Kim Jong Un and Obama’s legacies are similarly founded.
Onion satire right? That is funny; no way would our government ever consider giving money to Iran......
In other words, Obama is going to give Iran enough money to pay for two Manhattan projects.
What, does he just have $50 bil lying around? In petty cash? In the safe in the Oval Office bathroom?
weeks ago I said Iran would get $100 Billion ,LOL it’s half way there
He would TAKE the MONEY and CONTINUE the KILLINGS.
Anyone who thinks Iran will do otherwise needs a cranial lobotomy.
This is our MUSLIM PRESIDENT give FINANCIAL AID to the ENEMY.
What a deal for Iran! They can VIOLATE the agreement and NOT PAY US BACK! Wow! Really SMART, 0dumba!
He would TAKE the MONEY and CONTINUE the KILLINGS.
Anyone who thinks Iran will do otherwise needs a cranial lobotomy.
This is our MUSLIM PRESIDENT giving FINANCIAL AID to the ENEMY.
Everyday I keep thinking that the A holes in the Obungler administration can't sink any lower than they already have. Then, everyday, they sink lower, with yet another outrage. I am beginning to think that the Obungler administration creates a new outrage everyday, so we will forget about the previous day's outrage.
The terrorists have won.
China is investing 46 billion in Pakistan infrastructure including a pipeline to Iran.
Damn what Iran think of the US million dollar arm with 10 cent brain like they told pitcher in Bull Durnam
I used to say, everyday it was something else from this administration that kicked America. Now its becoming every hour.
He will just print up some more funny money for his muslim pals.
Looks like all the guys with Testosterone have all been relieved
By the time you get that first star you’re a politician.
Good thing the Repubs threw away any way of stopping this disaster. Maybe the press will like them if they try to get along.
Pray America is waking
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