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FACT BRIEF

Had Iran received $6 billion that was released by the U.S. as of the start of the Israel-Hamas War?

By Tom Kertscher
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NO

The U.S. unfroze $6 billion in Iranian funds held in a South Korean bank, but Iran had not received the money when Hamas attacked Israel.

Reuters, Fox News, NBC News and others quoted Biden administration officials saying Iran had not accessed the money.

Wisconsin lawmakers, including Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher, called for refreezing the funds while the U.S. investigates whether Iran played a role in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack.

Under a September deal, five detained U.S. citizens were allowed to leave Iran. The $6 billion was unfrozen and five Iranians held in the U.S. were allowed to leave.

Iran has long supported Hamas with material and money, according to the U.S. State Department. Foreign policy experts say that includes weapons.

On Oct. 12, a deal was reached to stop Iran from accessing the money in light of the Hamas attack, The Washington Post reported.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
New York Times Here’s a timeline of Saturday’s attacks and Israel’s retaliation.
Reuters Iran prisoner swap for $6 billion in spotlight after Hamas attacks Israel
Fox News White House spox pressed on Iran's $6 billion in unfrozen funds after Hamas unleashes terror in Israel
NBC News What we know about Iran's access to the $6B from a U.S. prisoner swap
Sen. Tammy Baldwin Senator Baldwin Statement on Freezing Iranian Assets
Fox News Republicans, some Dem House lawmakers urge Biden to refreeze $6B in Iranian assets amid Hamas attacks
CBS News U.S. clears way for release of $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds as part of prisoner swap deal
US Department of State Department Press Briefing – October 10, 2023
Washington Post U.S., Qatar agree to stop Iran from tapping $6 billion fund after Hamas attack
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.