White House under fire for failing to submit Iran nuclear report
The Biden administration is under scrutiny for failing to submit a legally mandated report on Iran's nuclear program amid accusations of being too soft on Iran.
The Biden administration is under scrutiny for failing to submit a legally mandated report on Iran's nuclear program amid accusations of being too soft on Iran.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who co-authored Public Law 117-263, Section 5593 of the Iran Nuclear Weapons Capability and Terrorism Monitoring Act of 2022, accused the administration of violating the law by missing crucial deadlines, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The law mandates a biannual assessment to Congress on Iran’s uranium enrichment and nuclear weapons development progress which led the United Nations' nuclear chief to admit recently that Iran is "weeks not months" away from a nuclear weapon.
In a letter to Avril Haines, the Director of National Intelligence, Senator Graham stated that the administration is "in violation of the law" for missing two Section 5593 assessment deadlines in the past year and failing to submit Section 7413 assessments when Iran reaches major enrichment thresholds.
The White House has long been under fire for taking too soft an approach to Iran as it appears reluctant to address Iran’s actions and avoid increased tension before the November election.
While the US has imposed sanctions against Iran, not only has Iran's nuclear program reached levels way beyond global regulations, but its ability to evade sanctions has seen its illicit oil sales spike since President Joe Biden took office, in turn funding its terror operations globally.
The White House has also been criticized for not adequately informing the public about Iran’s involvement in regional conflicts, including the war in Gaza, Houthi attacks on commercial shipping, and assaults on US bases in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan.
Iranian media has focused its criticism on Ahmadinejad, particularly highlighting his photos with women not wearing hijab. One outlet, citing a state media host, wrote, “Mr. Ahmadinejad, we are not extremists, but can you justify such pictures with women dressed like this and without hijab?”
The news website went on to say, “When the former president of an Islamic country permits women dressed in such attire to take pictures with him, and these images go viral on social media, it can only suggest that he embraces liberalism and populism."
According to Dolat Bahar, a Telegram channel run by Ahmadinejad's supporters, his visit was purportedly in response to an official invitation from a technological university for a "four-day scientific and cultural visit."
The channel posted numerous images of people taking photos with him on the streets of Turkey, including women without hijabs. Two of these pictures were featured in Iranian media, albeit with their bodies censored.
Mehrdad Farahmand, a Middle East analyst and political commentator based in Istanbul, told Iran International that many ordinary individuals in the Middle East, as opposed to the elite, particularly in Turkey, largely admire Ahmadinejad for his staunch opposition to the US and Israel.
Farahmand, a former BBC correspondent in the Middle East, said: “While the authorities in these countries typically refrain from advocating for cutting ties with the US and Israel, Ahmadinejad was notably vocal about these issues during his presidency.”
“His outspoken rhetoric and Iran's pursuit of nuclear capabilities were widely associated with his leadership. Ahmadinejad's rhetoric about eliminating Israel, despite being costly and widely opposed by the Iranian populace, nevertheless garnered substantial support from certain segments of the population [in the region],” he added.
Another focal point for Iranian media was the timing of his departure on the day of the runoff presidential election. They argued that there is no evidence that he voted, interpreting his departure and announcement on that day as evidence of a deliberate boycott.
“He did not participate in the first round of the elections, and in the second round, there is neither a record nor a report of his presence at the Iranian consulate in Istanbul to cast his vote,” news outlet Roudad24 wrote.
They also highlighted the politicians he met in Turkey, suggesting he associated with individuals of dubious reputation. Ahmadinejad met with Turkey’s former Interior Minister Abdülkadir Aksu and Mustafa Destici, the current leader of the Great Union Party.
This is while Farahmand described Aksu as a prominent figure within the Justice and Development Party, which has maintained its position as the ruling party since 2002.
Farahmand also characterized the Turkish media's coverage of Ahmadinejad's trip as positive, noting that his interview on TGRT Haber, a nationwide TV channel, was favorable and free from challenging questions.
During the interview, Ahmadinejad was questioned about the potential for a third world war. In response, he emphasized his stance as a proponent of peace, presenting himself as a seasoned politician dedicated to advocating for global harmony and conflict resolution.
Ahmadinejad, who has been barred from running in the past three presidential elections by the Guardian Council, controlled mainly by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, is believed to have registered for candidacy primarily to demonstrate his support base. Just before his most recent disqualification by the Guardian Council, he visited Tehran's Bazaar, where many supporters rallied around him. Following his initial disqualification, the former foreign policy hardliner began openly criticizing the political apparatus established by Ali Khamenei, even going so far as to challenge the Supreme Leader himself directly.
