Axios reported Wednesday that the Biden Administration was considering removing Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from a terror list if it made a promise to not be naughty. It was the latest development in President Biden’s attempt to salvage former President Obama’s nuclear deal at all costs (including sanity and dignity)Please see the following: it was completely ignored by the flagship evening newscast from the broadcast networks.
Instead of covering this story, ABC’s World News Tonight, CBS Evening News, and NBC Nightly NewsThe Federal Reserve raised interest rates, which was widely reported. ABC had also a report about the weather.
Axios’s Barak Ravid reported that “The Biden administration is considering removing Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from a terror blacklist in return for a public commitment from Iran to de-escalation in the region, three Israeli officials and two U.S. sources tell me.”
“The IRGC is not only Iran’s most feared military branch but it’s also a powerful political and economic player,” Ravid wrote. “The terror designation means that even if Biden lifts nuclear sanctions to return to compliance with the deal, criminal penalties could still be imposed on anyone doing business with individuals or businesses connected to the IRGC.”
Adding: “But removing the designation is a political hot potato for Biden. It would create an uproar from Republicans and likely several Democrats in the Senate.”
While the broadcast networks were ignoring the story because it’s likely to be yet another foreign policy blunder for the Biden administration, Fox News Channel’s Special ReportIt is not dependent on the Democratic president as they are.
“The administration is considering removing Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from the list of foreign terrorist organizations if the IRGC publicly offers to reduce aggression in the region,” reported senior national correspondent Rich Edson. He went on to note, “This weekend [the IRGC]Twelve missiles were launched into northern Iraq. Some landed near a U.S. consulate building there.”
Now, that doesn’t sound like they’re committed to “de-escalation in the region.”
Edson disclosed that they pressed the State Department on “whether it’s appropriate for the United States to consider removing a terrorist designation for the IRGC given attacks like this,” but they refused to answer:
EDSON: Although Ned Price, a spokesperson for the White House refused to discuss specifics of the matter, he defended efforts by the administration to revive a nuclear deal with Iran. One which would remove sanctions and temporarily curb Iran’s nuclear program.
[Cuts to video]
NED PRICE, State Dept. Spokesman
“Officials say IRGC threats are also forcing the State Department to provide security for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former Iran Envoy Brian Hook” because of threats against their lives, Edson concluded, in part.
Sponsorships by TD Ameritrade (ABC), Claritin (NBC) and Ensure (NBC), made it possible for Biden to not remove Iran from a list. You can find their contact information here.
You can find the transcript below. To read it, please click on “expand”.
Fox News Channel’s Special Report
March 16, 2022
Eastern at 6:10 p.m.BRET BAIER – Also tonight breaking, it appears that President Biden is about to change the U.S. position on Iran. Rich Edson, senior national correspondent, is with us to explain what this means from the State Department. Good evening Rich.
RICH EDSON (Bret): Good evening. If the IRGC makes a public offer to decrease aggression in the area, the administration may consider removing Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from its list of terrorist foreign organizations. Sources familiar with the talks say that this is what they are considering. This was reported for the first time in Axios.
Sources say that the Administration has not yet made a decision. The IRGC, Iran’s paramilitary organization is it. The IRGC fired twelve missiles into north Iraq last weekend. They landed close to the U.S. consulate.
The State Department was asked by us this afternoon if it would be appropriate to remove a terrorist designation from the IRGC in light of attacks such as this. Although Ned Price, the spokesperson for the State Department refused to discuss specifics but defended American efforts to renew a nuclear deal with Iran. One which would remove sanctions in return for temporarily limiting Iran’s nuclear program.
[Cuts to video]
NED PRICE (State Dept. Spokesman
[Cuts back to live]
EDSON: State Department officials claim that IRGC threats have forced the State Department into providing security for Brian Hook, former Iran Envoy and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The Trump administration declared the IRGC a terrorist foreign organization three years ago. This is the first time that a government agency has been included on this list. Any foreign terrorist designation will automatically bring sanctions on that entity. Bret.
BAIER: Rich Edson from the State Department. Rich, thanks.
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