U.S. Sanctions Iranian backers of Hamas, Renews Waiver Letting Iraq Pay Iran For Electricity

The United States on Tuesday announced its third round of sanctions targeting Hamas-affiliated individuals and entities in connection with the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel.

The State Department designated Akram al-Ajouri as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist for being a leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). Ajouri is the PIJ Deputy Secretary General and leader of its militant wing, the Al-Quds Brigade. The Treasury Department also designated seven individuals and two entities that have provided support to or acted on behalf of Hamas or PIJ.

"Iran’s support, primarily through its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, enables Hamas and PIJ's terrorist activities, including through the transfer of funds and the provision of both weapons and operational training," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

"Iran has trained PIJ fighters to produce and develop missiles in Gaza while also funding groups that provide financial support to PIJ-affiliated fighters," he added.

Blinken also noted that the U.S. "will continue to work with our partners and allies to disrupt Hamas’ terrorist financing channels."

In the meantime, just hours after the announcement of new sanctions, the Biden administration has extended by four months another sanctions waiver that will allow Iraq to continue to purchase electricity from Iran and gives Iran limited access to the proceeds to buy humanitarian goods.

There is roughly $10 billion in Iraqi payments for Iranian electricity currently being held in escrow accounts in Iraq, and the waiver, which was transmitted to Congress on Tuesday, will allow Baghdad to maintain its energy imports without fear of U.S. penalties for violating sanctions on Iran.

State Department's Spokesperson Matthew Miller defended the move arguing that Iran will get its hands "on zero additional dollars as a result of these waivers."

"None of these funds are sent to Iran. They are held in third-party accounts outside Iran, and can be used only for not – for humanitarian and other non-sanctionable purposes for the benefits of the Iranian people," Miller told daily briefing when pressed by TURAN's correspondent.

He went on to add, "These are waivers that have been issued going back to 2018.  We have seen Iran continue its destabilizing activities throughout that time, just as they did before the Trump administration issued the first of these waivers in 2018, which is why we have held them accountable through strikes against their proxy militias in the region and through the sanctions I just referred to, as well as a number of other measures."