Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are demanding the Biden administration explain its scheming in secret with Iran over its nuclear options, actions that potentially violate federal law.
The demand on Wednesday comes in light of the Iran-backed Hamas war that was launched against Israel with an attack that killed hundreds, including babies who were beheaded by the Islamist intruders.
The announcement comes from the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, headed by Rep. James Comer, R-Ky.
It is working with the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs Chairman Glenn Grothman to raise concerns “about the administration’s use of officials with sympathetic ties to the Iranian regime to negotiate with Iran.”
The letter to U.S. Department of State Secretary Antony Blinken demands documents, information, and a briefing.
“The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the Biden Administration’s efforts to conceal details about its ongoing secret nuclear negotiations with the Islamic Republic of Iran from Congress, ignoring statutory obligations for congressional oversight. The Administration’s lack of transparency is even more troubling in light of press reports about Iran’s direct role in this weekend’s horrific attack on Israel by Hamas and additional revelations that former Special Envoy for Iran (SEI), Robert Malley, and members of his negotiating team may have had compromising ties to the Iranian regime. We request documents, information, and a briefing to assist the Committee’s investigation of these matters,” said the letter.
BREAKING: The House Oversight & Accountability Committee launches formal investigation into the administration’s Iran policy.
Document requests include communications surrounding potential intelligence compromise of Iran Envoy Robert Malley and members of his negotiating team. pic.twitter.com/PN9CHhyoch
— Gabriel Noronha (@GLNoronha) October 11, 2023
The committee confirmed, “The United States made recent concessions to Iran, potentially in violation of the Iranian Nuclear Review Act. These concessions occurred as Mr. Malley—the Administration’s top negotiator with Iran—is under investigation for the alleged mishandling of classified material. Mr. Malley already had a history of appeasing United States’ adversaries, including meeting with the terrorist group Hamas. The ongoing investigation into Mr. Malley’s security violations are so serious that he was suspended from his position without pay.”
Said the letter, “According to recent media reports, a former member of Mr. Malley’s Iran negotiating team, Ariane Tabatabai, was in close contact with the Iranian regime for years. Ms. Tabatabai participated in the regime-backed Iran Experts Initiative (IEI), which was launched by senior Iranian Foreign Ministry officials in the spring of 2014. The alleged purpose of the initiative was to cultivate a network of European and U.S. researchers that could be used to bolster Iran’s image on global security matters, especially its nuclear program. Its members reportedly worked very closely with the Iranian regime toward this end. Incredibly, despite her previous contact with Iranian regime officials through this unofficial regime-backed network, including consulting with them regarding her potential travel, Ms. Tabatabai is now a high-level staffer within the Department of Defense where she continues to hold a security clearance.”
The letter calls for the delivery of documents and communications regarding whether Malley’s relationships with Iranian regime officials were disclosed or identified, documents regarding the Bureau of Diplomatic Security or other entities involved in “adjudicating access to classified information mentioning or discussing Malley, and more.
U.S. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. (Video screenshot)
It’s not the only review that the Biden administration now is facing following Hamas’ depraved attacks on civilians, including the terrorist organization’s massacre at one kibbutz that included beheading babies.
The Washington Examiner reports Biden restarted a number of aid program payments to Palestinians after President Donald Trump had halted them over concerns the money would be used for terrorism.
“Biden has pledged hundreds of millions of dollars toward Palestinians since taking office, reversing a decision by former President Donald Trump to cut off nearly all aid to Palestinians, in part because of concerns about Hamas’s influence,” the report said.
The report explained, “Whether U.S. aid to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank ended up boosting organizations linked to terrorism remains a key question after Hamas fighters killed more than 1,000 Israelis, most of them civilians, in a surprise incursion into Israel on Saturday.”
Only weeks ago, a watchdog organization warned there was not enough transparency regarding the funds Biden was sending to Palestinians.
The Examiner explained the inspector general for the U.S. Agency for International Development expressed concerns that USAID officials had not properly “accounted for the risks of providing aid in Gaza and the West Bank since Biden took office, including the risk of giving money to local groups that have ties to terrorism.”
The report said Biden apparently gave money to multiple groups that have links to terrorism.
It cited a State Department grant of $18,315 to a Gaza-based group, Natuf for Environment and Community Development. That organization is backed by a Palestinian bank that has been accused by Israel of having ties to Hamas.
Earlier, Biden sent that group $2,900 for “art and graffiti therapy,” $19,996 for inclusive partnerships for youth, and $19,806 for “environmental” awareness.
Further, Biden gave Fares Al-Arab, an organization linked to terror in Gaza, $41,213 for a “journalism” program.
Biden also pledged new money to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, which has many links to Hamas.
Trump had cut funding to UNRWA in 2018, but Biden restored it upon taking office, promising some $200 million last year.
via wnd