Washington Post: The US and Qatar Agree to Prevent Iran from Accessing $6 Billion Released

The Washington Post reports that the US and Qatar have agreed to prevent the Islamic Republic from accessing $6 billion of Iranian funds that were deposited in accounts in Qatar following a prisoner exchange agreement, in light of the recent Hamas massacre in Israel. The Islamic Republic is the main supporter of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, both of which are recognized as terrorist groups in the US and many other countries. The Washington Post, citing two unnamed sources, wrote that Wally Adeyemo, the US Deputy Treasury Secretary, told House Democrats on Thursday that US officials and the Qatari government agreed to block Iran's access to the $6 billion humanitarian aid account after Hamas's attack on Israel. Hamas and Islamic Jihad launched a surprise attack in southern Israel on Saturday, killing about 1,200 people, including women and children, in a horrific manner. Some of the bodies of the deceased were burned. Many victims were attending a peace music festival. In addition to Israelis, citizens from other countries, including the US, were killed in the attacks by these groups, both of which are financially and militarily supported by the Islamic Republic. Many were also taken hostage and transferred to Gaza. Recently, the US and the Islamic Republic agreed to transfer $6 billion from Iran's frozen assets in South Korea to Qatar as part of a prisoner exchange agreement. This money was transferred to Qatar to be spent on humanitarian matters under US supervision. US officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have previously stated that not a dollar of this money has been spent yet. The US described its citizens imprisoned in Iran as hostages taken by the Islamic Republic, which exploits them politically. Many in the US have described the transfer of money to Qatar as a form of ransom and encouragement for 'more hostage-taking.' Following Hamas's attack on Israel, several US lawmakers called for the funds to be blocked again. Critics also argue that transferring the $6 billion to a humanitarian account allows the Islamic Republic to use similar amounts from other sources for terrorism. The US government has defended the agreement for the release of its citizens. Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing Hamas sources, that the Islamic Republic was generally aware that the group was preparing for an operation but emphasized that it did not know the details or timing of the attack. In Iran, Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, stated that his government had no role in Hamas's attack but expressed satisfaction with the widespread killing of civilians in Israel. In the US, President Joe Biden described Hamas as a group that is 'bloodthirsty.' He warned the Islamic Republic not to get involved in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The White House described Trump's comments about Hezbollah and the Israeli Defense Minister as 'dangerous.' Amir-Abdollahian is going to 'Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria'; Israel attacked 'the airports of Damascus and Aleppo.' The Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army acknowledged the failure to prevent the Hamas attack. Blinken, in a meeting with the Israeli President, stated that Hamas's path leads to 'terror and destruction.' France: There is no evidence of 'direct involvement' of the Islamic Republic in Hamas's attacks on Israel.