Fact Check: Did Joe Biden allow extra funding to be used by Iran for developing nuclear

Fact Check: Did Joe Biden Allow Extra Funding to be Used by Iran for Developing Nuclear Weapons?

What We Know

The claim that President Joe Biden allowed extra funding for Iran to develop nuclear weapons stems from concerns regarding the potential lifting of sanctions as part of negotiations to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal. Reports indicate that the Biden administration is considering lifting terrorism-related sanctions on Iran's Central Bank, which could release significant funds that had been previously frozen due to sanctions (Biden's $90 Billion Bailout to Tehran).

The JCPOA originally lifted several sanctions on Iran in exchange for limitations on its nuclear program. Critics argue that re-entering the deal could provide Iran with substantial financial resources—estimated at around $90 billion—potentially enabling it to fund its military and regional proxies, which some view as a direct threat to stability in the Middle East (Biden's $90 Billion Bailout to Tehran).

Furthermore, the Biden administration has expressed a desire to restore the JCPOA, which was abandoned by the Trump administration in 2018. This has raised concerns about the implications for Iran's nuclear capabilities, especially as many of the restrictions on its nuclear program are set to expire in the coming years (Iran nuclear deal: What are Biden's plans and challenges).

Analysis

The assertion that Biden's actions will directly lead to increased funding for Iran's nuclear program is complex. While it is true that lifting sanctions could provide Iran with financial resources, the direct link to nuclear development is not as straightforward. The JCPOA was designed to limit Iran's nuclear capabilities in exchange for economic relief. Critics argue that past experiences show Iran may divert funds to military activities rather than domestic needs, such as infrastructure or healthcare (Biden's $90 Billion Bailout to Tehran).

However, proponents of the deal argue that restoring the JCPOA could prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons by reinstating strict monitoring and limitations on its nuclear program (Iran nuclear deal: What it all means). The reliability of sources discussing these issues varies; for instance, the Senate source is politically motivated and may exhibit bias against the Biden administration, while reports from established news organizations like the BBC and The New York Times provide a more balanced view of the potential outcomes of re-entering the JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal: What are Biden's plans and challenges, U.S.-Iran Nuclear Deal: What Is Each Side After?).

Conclusion

The claim that Joe Biden allowed extra funding to be used by Iran for developing nuclear capabilities is Partially True. While it is accurate that lifting sanctions could provide Iran with significant financial resources, the direct implication that these funds would be solely or primarily used for nuclear development is speculative. The Biden administration's approach aims to balance diplomatic engagement with the need to prevent nuclear proliferation, but the potential for funds to be diverted to military activities remains a significant concern.