Congressman Mike Lawler accused the US Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, of the lax implementation of critical sanctions acts aimed at curtailing Iran's oil trade with China.
In a heated session on Tuesday, Lawler claimed the Biden administration has allowed a significant increase in illicit Iranian oil sales, funding Tehran's military activities in the Middle East, some of which targeting US facilities and troops.
In 2023, Iran exported approximately 1.4 million barrels of oil daily, with a significant portion purchased by China, according to tanker shipment tracking firms.
Following the sanctions imposed by the US in 2018 after it withdrew from the JCPOA, Iran's oil exports plummeted from more than two million barrels per day to less than 300,000 by 2019.
Lawler pointed out that since President Biden took office, Iranian oil sales have surged by over $100 billion, providing substantial financial resources for Iran's subversive activities across the Middle East. Yellen responded by saying she would "look into the details".
Lawler highlighted testimony from General Horacio Carrillo, head of CENTCOM, who confirmed that Iran continues to sell 90% of its oil to China. He said the sales are directly funding Tehran's proxy militias such as the Houthis in Yemen which are targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea region, including attacks on US warships stationed in the area.
“Anyone who participates in the sale of Iranian oil plays a role in helping the regime evade US sanctions. Engaging in this trade is tantamount to aiding and abetting a terrorist state, and it must end,” Lawler said.
The funds are used to purchase weapons, finance operations, and sustain ongoing conflicts, further destabilizing the Middle East and posing a serious threat to international security.
Lawler emphasized the urgency of cutting off the financial lifelines that support Iran's terror activities and criticized the administration's perceived delay in addressing an issue of national security.
As Iran continues to evade sanctions, earlier this month, Iran’s oil minister Jawad Owji admitted that the country is still selling crude to 17 countries, including some in Europe.
In an interview with Mehr News Agency, he defiantly said, "We sell our oil wherever we want to". Iran's sanctions are in place to limit its ongoing nuclear program but more recently, others have been imposed for Iran's supporting Russia's war on Ukraine and brutal human rights abuses at home.