Manchin Questions U.S. Commanders on Impact of Putin's Invasion of Ukraine for Iranian Oil Imports

Statement

Last week, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Cybersecurity Subcommittee, questioned General Kenneth McKenzie, Commander of the United States Central Command and General Stephen Townsend, Commander of the United States Africa Command. Senator Manchin questioned the witnesses about U.S. oil imports from Iran and the effects of the imports on Iran's economy, and the Iranian government's involvement in terrorist attacks in the region.

Senator Manchin questioned, "Putin's war on Ukraine, and what we're going through there…it's an energy war…I have a little bit of a concern with the Administration's position on the energy we produce in our country and that we could do a little bit more working with our Canadian and our Mexican allies. With that being said…I'm concerned about Iran, the way the last deal that we made with Iran was not made on basically earning your way back into a productive society. I come from the standpoint that we were giving them too many reliefs on their sanctions up front and then they never had come through on their side of the bargain. With Iran situation right now…what effect do you think that would have on the Iranian government for them to have that flow of cash again through oil sales?"

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