New Iran Nuclear Deal Will Create ‘Sanctions Evasion Hub for Putin,' Experts Say

With a nuclear deal likely to be announced in the coming days, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), a think tank critical of the agreement, says a new deal will allow Putin to circumvent tough Western sanctions that have been put in place since Russia invaded Ukraine. The policy brief could help derail an agreement before it even goes into effect. Republicans in the House and Senate have already threatened to dismantle the deal and ensure that Iran does not get massive sanctions relief promised by the Biden administration. A majority of Republican leaders in both chambers warn that any deal reached without congressional approval will be dead on arrival. The information about how Russia will be able to use Iran as a hub for its sanctions-busting activities is likely to strengthen Republican opposition, particularly as Moscow wages an unprovoked war in Ukraine that has isolated its economy from the international banking system.