Rep. McCaul worries U.S. unfreezing $6 billion in sanctions on Iran could fund future Hamas attacks

The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said Sunday he believes Iran could use $6 billion in unfrozen funds from the U.S. in exchange for American hostages to fund future terrorism by Hamas following its surprise attack against Israel.

“I’m also concerned about the $6 billion in lifted sanctions that [will go] into Iran,” Rep. Michael McCaul, Texas Republican said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “I don’t think it played a part in this event, but it certainly could play a part in any future terror activities.”

The Biden administration has said the funds have yet to go to Iran and insisted it will be able to track how the money is spent, an assertion that Republicans have questioned.

Critics say the lifted sanctions will only further embolden Iran to finance terror attacks like that by Hamas that killed hundreds of Israelis and wounded thousands more.

“We do know that Iran is behind this. They have financed this every step of the way, and they’ve trained these terrorists,” Mr. McCaul said. “We heard from the president of Iran. He’s very clear, in his words, that ’I’m going to do whatever I want with that money.’”