The Biden administration’s nuclear agreement with Iran has already sparked plenty of controversy, but experts are now saying that this deal could support Russia financially, undermining the sanctions levied against them.

From Free Beacon. Russian and Iranian documents translated for the Washington Free Beacon show that Rosatom, Russia’s leading energy company, has a $10 billion contract with Iran’s atomic energy organization to expand Tehran’s Bushehr nuclear plant. Russia and the Biden administration confirmed on Tuesday that the new nuclear agreement includes carveouts that will waive sanctions on both countries so that Russia can make good on this contract….

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The removal of these sanctions will provide Moscow’s Rosatom company with a critical source of revenue as American and European sanctions crush Russia’s economy in response to its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. . . . The Free Beacon first reported on Tuesday that a policy document circulating among lawmakers exposes how the new nuclear agreement will create a “sanctions evasion hub” for Russian president Vladimir Putin….

Gabriel Noronha, a former State Department special adviser for Iran under Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, told the Free Beacon that Russia is being awarded a financial lifeline via the nuclear agreement, undermining international efforts to isolate Moscow.

“Rosatom’s projects in Iran are crucial to the company’s future financial viability—that’s exactly why we should shut them down by disrupting their foreign contracts—especially those with a regime like Iran,” Noronha said. “We’re doing the opposite. The United States should sanction Rosatom for its involvement in Russia’s war on Ukraine, but in classic fashion, we’re giving them full sanctions immunity that will stabilize Rosatom’s finances.”

Rosatom’s contract with Iran has Moscow constructing two blocks of the Bushehr nuclear plant, which are set to go online in 2024 and 2026….

The Biden administration took preemptive steps in February to unwind nuclear sanctions impacting Iran, Russia, and China. Sanctions waivers issued by the administration at that time were viewed as an upfront concession to Iran and allowed Russia to restart its nuclear projects in Iran.

The concessions being made in negotiations over the nuclear accord were recently touted by Russia’s top negotiator, Mikhail Ulyanov. He said last week that Iran, Russia, and China partnered in talks to ensure the United States grants a bouquet of perks benefiting each of those countries….

Noronha warned that the final agreement will help legitimize Moscow at a time when it should be isolated.

“Providing Rosatom a guaranteed $10 billion lifeline right now is just another example of how this administration is undermining all its anti-Russia rhetoric with hidden technical concessions that keep Putin and his cronies’ companies afloat,” Noronha said. “It’s got to stop.”

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(Excerpt from Free Beacon. Photo Credit: Canva)