Kirk to Kerry: Stop Subsidizing Iran-Sponsored Terrorism

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) questioned U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry regarding the billions of dollars Iran has received under the P5+1 interim nuclear agreement and whether Iran is using those funds to subsidize terrorist groups like Hezbollah.

“The administration should not be subsidizing Iran’s sponsorship of terrorism, including more than $100 million a year in payments to a terrorist group responsible for the murders of more than 280 Americans,” Senator Kirk said. “Secretary Kerry believes we should put aside Iran’s support for terrorism during nuclear negotiations – likely because he knows the American people do not support his current policy of subsidizing Iranian terrorism.”

According to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Iran had an estimated $20 billion in accessible reserves prior to the November Joint Plan of Action agreement.  Based on cash transfers made under the agreement and oil export profits estimated by United Against a Nuclear Iran, Iran’s accessible reserves have increased by at least $5.55 billion, including an estimated $4 billion in oil revenue and an additional $1.55 billion in cash transfers under the agreement.

Hezbollah, an Iranian terror proxy designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, is responsible for the murders of at least 280 Americans. To watch Senator Kirk’s questioning of Secretary Kerry at today’s hearing, please click here.

Hezbollah has claimed the lives of more than 280 Americans: