U.S. and Qatar block Iran's access to $6B in previously unfrozen funds: WP reports

U.S. officials and the Qatari government have agreed to prevent Iran from accessing the previously unfrozen $6 billion account intended for humanitarian aid."

The decision to deny access to the funds was made just weeks after U.S. and Iranian governments announced an agreement to facilitate humanitarian aid in an effort to reduce hostilities in the region.

American officials were to approve each transaction as part of the deal. The fund is financed through the sale of Iranian oil.

U.S. officials have alleged that Hamas received weapons and training from Iran, but there was no direct evidence of Tehran's role in a recent attack by Hamas terrorists on Israel.

Iran's reaction

Washington Post reports that Deputy U.S. Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told House Democrats that the money 'isn't going anywhere anytime soon.'"

Senators from both parties, including Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown of Ohio, have called on the Biden administration to abandon the agreement.

In response to attempts to freeze the aid, Iran's mission to the UN said senators and the U.S. government are well aware they cannot walk away from the deal.

"The money rightfully belongs to the people of Iran, earmarked for the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to facilitate the acquisition of all essential and non-sanctioned requisites for the Iranians," the statement reads.

What's the $6 billion

A few years ago, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Iran, which led to the freezing of $6 billion earned from oil sales by the country, held in a South Korean bank account.

In September of this year, the U.S. unblocked the $6 billion in sanctions relief to facilitate the exchange of five detained Americans for five Iranians.

Recently, Politico reported that representatives of the U.S. Republican Party were pressuring President Joe Biden to take action against Iran, citing the group's continued support for Hamas, which recently attacked Israel.