US refuses to rule out tougher sanctions on Iran following 'barbaric' Hamas attack on Israel

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said: “I would not rule anything out from the discussion of possible future actions.” Photo: Holly Adams/Bloomberg

The United States may impose additional sanctions on Iran following the deadly Hamas terrorist attack in Israel, the country's Treasury Secretary said.

Janet Yellen said nothing could be «taken away» if officials determined Tehran played a direct role in the «barbaric» attack that killed and wounded thousands of civilians, including women and children.

Ms Yellen said the Biden administration is looking for ways to “tighten sanctions” against Iran and the country's backed terrorist organizations as officials continue to hunt for evidence of Tehran's role in the attack.

Ms. Yellen did not do so either. have ruled out reversing a decision to unfreeze $6bn (£4.8bn) in Iranian oil revenues approved as part of a prisoner swap that resulted in the release of five American hostages last month.

Iran has been funding Hamas for years, supplying tens of millions of pounds worth of weapons that are smuggled into Gaza. Authorities are now investigating allegations that the country played a role in planning last weekend's deadly attack.

Initial US intelligence reports suggest Iranian leaders were surprised by the attacks, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the reports.

Republicans criticized the administration Biden for not taking a tougher stance on Iran, and even linking the prisoner exchange deal to financing the Hamas attack.

Ms Yellen said the funds, which were transferred from South Korea to Qatar, had been “left untouched” since the deal was struck last month.

She told reporters on the sidelines of an International Monetary Fund event in Marrakesh: “ We have not relaxed our sanctions on Iranian oil in any way. And we have sanctions against Hamas, against Hezbollah, and we are constantly reviewing this and using information as it comes in to tighten sanctions. We will continue to do this.”

Asked whether the US was prepared to impose further sanctions on Iran, including canceling an agreement to release $6 billion in Iranian oil revenues, the US Treasury secretary said: “I will continue to do that.” would not take anything off the agenda in terms of future possible actions.”

Sanam Vakil, head of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House, said: “The Biden administration could strengthen enforcement [of sanctions].” .

Before Saturday's attack, the United States had relaxed sanctions enforcement measures. sanctions as the Biden administration sought to negotiate with Iran over its nuclear program.

Mr Vakil said: “There is nothing in writing, but there is an informal agreement that Iran will curtail its [nuclear] enrichment » in exchange» for a certain leniency.

Now this position can be changed. Such moves would put additional pressure on the Iranian regime and economy, which is supported by oil sales. However, this could also lead to an increase in world oil prices.

Ms. Yellen also said that the situation in Israel poses “additional challenges” to the global economic recovery, including rising inflation.

She said: “At this stage our focus is on the people who have suffered from these barbaric attacks on Israel. And while we are monitoring the potential economic impact of the crisis, I don't really think of it as a major driver of the global economic outlook.»

She added that a «soft landing» of the global economy had been planned. is still the most likely scenario, even taking into account recent economic turmoil.

Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated since 2018, when former US President Donald Trump withdrew from a global agreement that had seen Tehran cut its nuclear program in exchange for easing economic sanctions.

Trump reimposed tough sanctions that threatened to punish anyone who buys the country's crude oil.

The Biden administration imposed additional sanctions as part of a crackdown on growth illicit trade.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Tuesday that the United States is investigating the possibility of Iran being linked to the Hamas attack.

He said: “We talk daily with our Israeli counterparts about this question. We are reviewing our intelligence to see if we have any additional information.»