Watchdog requests Iran cash payment records

A government watchdog is asking for documents from the Treasury and State Departments that could shed light on the Obama administration’s controversial $1.7 billion cash payment to Iran.

Cause of Action Institute filed a Freedom of Information Act request on Wednesday for records that outline and document the payment made to settle a nearly 40-year-old case over arms sales between the United States and Iran.

{mosads}Cause of Action also requested all communications about the payment between the Treasury and State Departments.

The payment coincided with a prisoner swap that brought home four American captives in Iran, stoking Republican accusations that a ransom had been paid. There’s also been bipartisan concern that Iran would use the virtually untraceable funds to finance terror.

“Regardless of the merits of the settlement agreement the State Department reached with Iran, and regardless of whether the cash payments created “leverage” for the release of the American hostages, shipping more than $1.7 billion in untraceable cash to the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism is nonsensical — particularly when alternative, more transparent means were available,” wrote Cause of Action in the request.

The House is scheduled to vote Friday on a bill that would block the U.S. from making cash payments to Iran and outline in greater detail future settlements with the country.

The White House said Wednesday the president would veto the bill.