(TargetLiberty.org) – Is the Biden administration growing desperate to find new oil sources in the face of rising gas prices? Recent updates in the ongoing negotiations with Iran to restore the controversial Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a nuclear deal first instituted in 2015, suggest that US leaders may be on the cusp of finalizing an agreement. But why is the commander-in-chief so willing to work closely with what some say is a known terrorist regime?
Iran Deal Not Yet Confirmed
It’s important to note that US officials have yet to confirm any kind of agreement with Iran as of the time this article was written. Still, it doesn’t mean the issue hasn’t been on the table at all. Talks over the matter began earlier in the year after the Biden administration reinstituted a waiver on sanctions that prevented the US from engaging in technical discussions with Iran.
The change immediately set off ongoing discussions and negotiations between the US, Iran, and other P5+1 countries, including China, France, Germany and Russia. By March, news had broken that negotiators were extremely close to finalizing a deal reviving the 2015 JCPOA.
Notably, former President Trump abandoned JCPOA during his tenure in the White House, citing concerns about terrorism.
At the time, he was deeply concerned that preserving the agreement would empower Iran to build up its nuclear arsenal unchecked.
The Role of Oil and Russian Interference
That Iran might suddenly gain access to nuclear capabilities is far from the only concern in moving forward with restoring the JCPOA. Many experts and leaders fear Biden is knee-jerking out of desperation in the face of rising gas prices without considering the consequences.
Former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe outlined these worries during a recent exclusive interview with Fox News. He claims the deal stems purely from a desire to lift sanctions preventing the US from importing millions of barrels of Iranian oil.
“He’d rather sell out American national security, deal with as you said, you know, a terrorist regime,” he explained.
There are steep concerns about Russian interference, too. The Russian Embassy in Iran recently tweeted that any future deals should consider the foreign country’s needs and interests.
It was emphasized that the negotiations on the "nuclear deal" with Iran should take into account the legitimate interests of Russia in the implementation of comprehensive cooperation with Iran pic.twitter.com/h6YIkLvPDh
— Russian Embassy, IRI (@RusEmbIran) March 9, 2022
A short time later, Russian officials escalated the matter by demanding that US officials guarantee that heavy sanctions against Moscow over the invasion of neighboring Ukraine wouldn’t negatively affect trade with Iran. To say yes to this would effectively create a loophole in existing sanctions, allowing Russia to sidestep their effects.
GOP Leaders Roast Potential Deal
Senator Cruz, flanked by a number of his colleagues, blasted the entire Iran deal during a March 9 press conference, calling it a win for Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said that moving forward with it would effectively create a “massive subsidy” for Russia.
Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) called the potential agreement insane “…This is the country with tanks running over Ukraine right now killing innocent civilians,” he exclaimed. “Yet they’re using those Russians to negotiate a deal with … Iran.”
Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) then raised another critical point: the Biden administration seems all too ready to negotiate with “international killers” over “American drillers.” He questioned why the government isn’t looking into reopening the Keystone XL pipeline or expanding the oil industry on home soil instead.
That’s a question few in the Biden administration seem ready and willing to answer.
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