They’ve lied about the success of airstrikes against the Islamic State. So it’s no surprise that they would lie in this context as well.
“White House Making Up Iran Data?,” by Michael Rubin, Commentary, March 6, 2016:
Colin Kahl, Vice President Joseph Biden’s National Security Advisor, reportedly told a conference at the RAND Corporation that the $100 billion released to Iran under the terms of the Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action (JCPOA) were “being used for domestic investment, to the dismay of [Qods Force chief] Qassem Soleimani.” Really?
It would be useful for Kahl and the White House to provide details — perhaps even a balance sheet — to justify that statement because, frankly, it appears to be based more on wishful thinking than reality. Reporting in the Iranian press paints a far different picture:
- Over the past few months, for example, the Gen. Hassan Shah-Safi, the head of the Islamic Republic’s air force, has traveled to Beijing to discuss with his Chinese counterpart about how to upgrade Iran’s air force with the latest Chinese jet fighters.
- Nor does it seem that Qassem Soleimani is all that dismayed at the new drones Iran has shipped to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Just last week, the Iranian press announced the start of Iranian drone operations around the Syrian city of Aleppo.
- Iran has also undertaken a massive, multibillion-dollar military shopping spree in Moscow.
- Then, of course, the money to hold recruitment drives to sign up Iranian students to ‘volunteer’ in Syria has to come from somewhere. Funny how Iran stepped up such activities after it received its cash rather than before.
In addition to the $100 billion Iran receives in unfrozen assets, of course, there’s also the fact that the new foreign investment Tehran now attracts goes disproportionately into the coffers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps….

John says
Man don’t you just want to punch those smug, self serving looking pricks in the headline picture square in the face?
Westman says
Here’s some of that domestic spending, intercepted by Australia on its way to Somalia:
http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/07/middleeast/middle-east-weapons-seizure/index.html
Maybe this reality will make an impression on some faces.
Westman says
Correction “Houthi rebels in Yemen” replaces “Somalia”
Tom says
OK, let’s assume the money can be traced and was actually spent on domestic projects.
Money is fungible.
The money spent on domestic projects, frees up money for Iran’s terrorist budget.
This concept is econ 101.
In the area of international income taxation, the governments would never except this false reasoning.
thomas lawrence says
feminists love islamists
Angemon says
The Obama administration lying?
*gasp*
I am shocked. SHOCKED!!! /sarc. off…
Thomas Lawrence says
Hope says
This is one of the funniest videos I have ever seen. I watch it when I need a good laugh.
mortimer says
They opened the piñata. There isn’t a second piñata to open.
In a year, we’ll know if Iran has changed at all. ISIS and the Saudis are targeting Shi’ites. Much of Iranian military spending will no doubt go to the fight against ISIS.
The Persian people must be chafing for change…their government is a criminal conspiracy using the government against the interests of the Persians and murdering political prisoners every day.
Jay Boo says
Good comment
Jay Boo says
domestic investment?
Such as a Free press, domestic abused women shelters.
Not likely
This is the same Obama who welcomed Bergdahl as a hero.
Sam says
“White House falsely claims Iran using sanctions cash domestically, not for military”
Obama has always been very understanding of what is going on in America and overseas. So I believe in his “very useful to American citizens” deal with Iran. He also knows very well how Iranians spend the cash they have. Obama is a great president.
I am a liberal. Thank you very much.