WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Democratic Leader, Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Mark Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s decision to ease Iran oil sanctions:
“The Trump Administration is handing the Iranian regime billions of dollars in oil revenue while Iran is attacking our partners, our diplomats and our service members—13 of whom have already tragically died in this war. Neither the Administration’s war nor its approach to sanctions on Iran have been tied to clear, defensible strategic objectives. Waging war on a regime while simultaneously enabling it to increase oil profits by lifting sanctions makes zero sense and reaches new levels of incoherence.
“This decision also appears to open the door for Chinese financial institutions to facilitate transactions with Iran’s central bank, which directly undercuts the Administration’s own claims that this policy would limit Beijing’s role in the Iranian oil trade. And there are no clear safeguards, transparency or accountability for where that money ends up.
“Americans deserve to understand the strategic rationale for making such a decision and how it enhances the national security of the United States. From rising gas prices at home to a lack of clarity on objectives abroad, this looks less like a plan and more like a panicked move that benefits our adversaries while leaving the American people to bear the cost.”
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