The Treasury Department acknowledged that any funds sent directly to Iran are used to finance Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps’ violent activities before being used for humanitarian aid. Senator Tim Scott demanded answers from Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen after Deputy Secretary Adewale Adeyemo testified about Iran’s use of humanitarian aid at a Senate committee hearing. Adeyemo stated that the Iranian regime prioritizes funding the IRGC over feeding its people, showing that almost none of the humanitarian aid money is used for its intended purposes. A letter obtained by Fox News Digital, written by Scott to Yellen, expressed serious concerns about U.S.-enabled efforts that increase Iran’s access to sanctioned funds, supporting terror proxies in the Middle East.
Scott’s concerns were further heightened by Adeyemo’s testimony, which indicated that the current sanctions relief and humanitarian assistance scheme provided to Iran deteriorates U.S. national security interests. Scott emphasized the significant increase in Iran’s oil exports under Yellen’s watch, resulting in billions of additional revenue for the regime that is likely to fund violent terror activities. He urged for an accounting of all international high-value Iranian assets blocked by U.S. sanctions and additional steps for actively monitoring released funds to prevent support for terrorism. Scott warned against releasing any sanctioned funds to Iran, given its history of redirecting humanitarian assistance towards violent activities.
The Treasury Department clarified that there are two types of funds concerning humanitarian aid and money already inside Iran. Adeyemo mentioned that humanitarian money is held in financial institutions outside Iran and will not be sent into the country, while any money within Iran is susceptible to being used for the IRGC before benefiting the Iranian people. Adeyemo stated that none of the dollars tied up in the humanitarian aid scheme have been sent to Iran and assured that they will not reach Iran. However, he acknowledged that any funds accessible in Iran will be used for the IRGC, demonstrating the fungible nature of money in the country.
Senator Mark Warner inquired about the possibility of humanitarian aid being used as the funds already inside Iran, to which Adeyemo responded with a definitive no. Adeyemo reiterated that none of the humanitarian aid money will be directed to Iran, emphasizing the importance of preventing the flow of funds to the Iranian regime that could support terrorist activities. Adeyemo’s testimony highlighted the complex challenges in providing humanitarian assistance to Iran while ensuring that the funds do not contribute to violent actions within the country or abroad. The ongoing scrutiny and demands for accountability from lawmakers reflect the need for a strategic approach to managing financial transactions with Iran to safeguard U.S. national security interests and prevent support for terrorism.
