Trump Officials, Congress Draw Battle Lines as Fight Over Iran Heats Up
Sources: Elements of Trump admin pushing to save Iran deal, outlast Trump
Officials inside the Trump administration have been pursuing policies that would leave large parts of the nuclear deal with Iran in place, including limiting the amount of pressure placed on Tehran through financial and oil sanctions, according to multiple sources who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon about a growing inter-agency battle.
These policies, which include waivers enabling Iran's continued oil production as well as its access to the global economy, have generated much tension with other parts of the Trump administration known to favor a more hardline approach. It also has riled Iran hawks on Capitol Hill who are currently working on various sanctions packages to further cripple the Iranian regime.
The efforts by some within the administration to preserve the nuclear accord and keep it on life support during the Trump presidency has set the stage for a coming battle over U.S. policies to cripple the Iranian economy and choke its leadership.
It has become increasingly clear in recent months that some elements of the Trump administration have used back-channel talks with the Europeans and other allies aimed at ensuring the nuclear deal remains in place, despite the president's efforts otherwise, sources told the Free Beacon.
At least two pressing issues are likely to bring this fight to the forefront: The potential for the United States to grant more waivers to those who purchase Iranian crude oil and Tehran's continued funding of terrorist entities, including Hamas and Hezbollah.
This week, the Financial Action Task Force, or FATF, an inter-government body dedicated to cracking down on terror financing, is meeting in Paris where a top agenda item will be Iran's refusal to uphold a 2016 pact aimed at eliminating its financial support for terror groups and other illicit entities.
As the FATF body meets, a team of leading U.S. senators has petitioned the Treasury Department to ensure a range of penalties are reimposed on Tehran, according to a copy of that letter viewed by the Free Beacon.
Sens. Ted Cruz (R., Texas), Tom Cotton (R., Ark), Marco Rubio (R., Fla.), and Thom Tillis (R., N.C.) spearheaded the letter to the Treasury Department, urging officials to stop giving Iran a pass as it relates to FATF and the country's continued financing of terrorists.
https://freebeacon.com/national-security/trump-officials-congress-draw-battle-lines-as-fight-over-iran-heats-up/