On Tuesday, the White House refused to directly answer questions regarding President Joe Biden’s decision to remove a terrorist designation from an Iranian-backed militia group.
At Tuesday’s press briefing, reporters continued to ask Press Secretary Jen Psaki for a direct answer on why the Biden administration removed the terrorist designation from the Iran-backed Kataeb Hezbollah militia group. Psaki provided few answers, stating that Biden wanted to “demonstrate that our focus is on a whole of government approach to Iran” and that the US is committed to supporting the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
This was the second time Psaki was asked about the designation. On Monday, she had avoided addressing the issue, saying only that there were “ongoing processes” taking place and that the president had made clear his priority “is to demonstrate that our focus is one of a whole of government approach on Iran.”
The decision to remove the terrorist designation has sparked considerable criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. House Republicans wrote a letter to Biden’s National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, expressing their “concern” over the decision and demanded they “provide a detailed understanding — with an analysis of the legal and security implications — of the Biden administration’s decision to remove this designation.”
Meanwhile, some of Biden’s Democratic allies in Congress have criticized the move. House Democratic Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries said that the president should consult with Congress before making such decisions, while Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) said that a “more thoughtful approach is needed in managing Iran’s proxies and other foreign actors who present ongoing security challenges to the US and our allies.”
At Tuesday’s press briefing, Psaki stressed the importance of closely examining the JCPOA in order to reduce the possibility of escalating tensions between Iran and the US. She said that Biden wants to create “an atmosphere of de-escalation” and that the US will continue to use diplomatic means to achieve this.
The White House’s reluctance to provide further answers on Biden’s decision is understandable, as it could have far-reaching consequences for US relations with Iran and the region. However, it is important that both Congress and the American public are given a clear understanding of why the President decided to make this change in policy.