Obama’s Gift to Iran Used in Massive Military Buildup

No doubt the leaders of Iran were laughing up their sleeves as they heard Mr. Obama try to explain to Americans the deal he negotiated with the Iranians. And they were also likely delighted to be able to make up their shopping list of all the toys they could buy with the $1.7 billion the U.S. sent them.

Actually, it wasn’t a check Obama sent, but stacks of foreign currency. That adds just another bizarre twist to this story of betrayal. And the total funds we have sent Iran might be much greater than that. Recall that Mr. Obama’s protestations of being the most transparent administration ever largely turned out to be the exact opposite.

Want to take a guess at what’s on that shopping list?

Iran is using the billions in cash resources provided under the landmark nuclear deal to engage in an unprecedented military buildup meant to transform the Islamic Republic’s fighting force into an “offensive” juggernaut, according to a largely unreported announcement by Iranian military leaders that has sparked concern among U.S. national security insiders and sources on Capitol Hill.

Iranian officials announced late last month that Iran’s defense budget had increased by 145 percent under President Hassan Rouhani and that the military is moving forward with a massive restructuring effort aimed at making it “a forward moving force,” according to regional reports.

So they’ve taken the money we sent them and used it to convert their defensive military into one that can project power beyond its borders. Perfect. Just what we wanted the money to go for. What is difficult to believe is that anyone is surprised by this result.

Iran wants to enhance its position as a regional power, and Mr. Obama’s check for $1.7 billion was the shot in the arm its leaders needed. And it’s going to support the Russian arms industry.

Iranian leaders have stated since the Iran deal was enacted that they are using the massive amounts of cash released under the agreement to fund the purchase of new military equipment and other armaments. Iran also has pursued multi-million dollar arms deals with Russia since economic sanctions were nixed as part of the deal.

So what Mr. Obama did is fund a military buildup by a nation hostile to the U.S. which can then use that buildup to challenge U.S. military forces.

“This is certainly grounds for concern,” the source said. “An Iranian military buildup coupled with an offensive posture is a threat to the United States and our allies. This also serves as an important reminder of why the Obama administration’s cash infusion to Iran was so dangerous.”

The cash windfall provided by the United States and European countries is “fungible and hence can be used for everything from sponsoring terror proxies to developing ballistic missiles,” the source warned. “Congress will continue to take action to counter Iranian terrorism and ensure this regime never acquires a nuclear weapon.”

With the replacement of Mr. Obama by President Trump, a welcome change is on the way, although much of the damage done by the Obama administration cannot be reversed.

“The Iranians know that the party will end this fall, when Congress will pass bipartisan legislation that begins to roll back Iran’s military growth,” one senior congressional adviser working on the sanctions effort told the Free Beacon.

“The Obama administration avoided any serious action for years, and so Iran kept growing its arsenal and using it against our allies, against Syrian civilians, and increasingly against our military,” said the source. “Now they’re rushing to accomplish as much as they can before Congress and the Trump administration get around to reversing Obama’s policies.”

Again, it is amazing how the U.S. manages to survive venal and corrupt individuals such as Obama. To find something positive to say about all this, the fact that we do survive is a testimony to the strength of our republic and our people.

Source: The Free Beacon