The timing of a $1.7 billion payment to Iran one day after it released 10 American sailors it had taken captive was likely ransom money paid for their release, retired Army Col. Derek Harvey tells
Newsmax TV.
"The timing is absolutely suspicious, and given the track record of the administration it does look like there is a quid pro quo," Harvey said Wednesday on "Newsmax Prime."
Watch Newsmax TV on
DirecTV Ch. 349, DISH Ch. 223 and
Verizon FiOS Ch. 115. Get Newsmax TV on your cable system —
Click Here Now
Kansas Republican Rep. Mike Pompeo and Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn have introduced a bill to compel the Obama White House to admit the payment was essentially ransom in a bill titled The No Impunity for Iranian Aggression at Sea Act,
The Washington Free Beacon reports.
If the administration wanted to clear the air it would be more transparent, Harvey told Newsmax TV's J.D. Hayworth. "They would not be having to respond to pressure from Congress."
The sailors were released on January 13 and the payment was made the next day, but the administration has denied any connection. Secretary of State John Kerry at the time praised Iran for its diplomatic efforts of letting the sailors go.
Iran released video of the sailors on their knees with at least one seen crying after they were taken into custody after drifting into Iranian waters in the Persian Gulf. Iran has since mocked them with a parade float and
a Twitter meme.