Rick Scott demands G7 meeting to sanction Iran following Hamas attack on Israel

By Michael Costeines

Published Oct. 11, 2023, 1:16 p.m. ET | Updated Oct. 11, 2023

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., speaking with attendees at the 2021 Student Action Summit hosted by Turning Point USA at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla., July 17, 2021. (Photo/Gage Skidmore, Flickr)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott demanded President Joe Biden urgently convene the G7 countries to sanction Iran following Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel.

“We know that the Iranian regime is behind the brutal attacks on innocent civilians being carried out by terrorists from Hamas and Palestinian Jihad,” Scott said in a letter. “The United States and our allies cannot ignore this reality for a second longer.”

Scott was joined by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., and Pete Rickets, R-Neb., calling for immediate financial repercussions against Iran.

The G7 are a group of nations consisting of the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, France and the United Kingdom.

“Every dollar within the grasp and control of the Iranian regime is used to fund terrorism and fuel its power. That is why we must isolate Iran and cut it off economically,” Scott continued. “Without sources of revenue, Iran will be unable to fund the mass terror it supports around the globe.”

Scott further criticized the Biden administration over its unfreezing of $6 billion in assets for the Iranian regime in a US.-Iran prisoner swap in September.

“Mr. President, money is fungible and if you truly believe that this decision did not play a role in the brutality Hamas unleashed on Israel last weekend, you are gravely mistaken,” Scott said.

He called for the president to “reverse” his decision regarding these funds and lead America’s partners and allies in securing agreements from nations to take “the most severe economic and diplomatic action against Iran possible under law.”

Hamas, which is backed by Shi’ite Iran, has reportedly contributed to at least 1,200 deaths and thousands injured. Along with kidnapping children, the terrorist group killed 250 youths at a festival in Southern Israel. Fourteen Americans have also been killed in the brutal ongoing onslaught.

“The terror and devastation unleashed on Israel over the last 72 hours by Iran-backed Hamas terrorists has rightfully horrified the world,” Scott said. “Innocent families were murdered in their homes. Teenage girls have been raped and then burned alive.”

Scott expressed the importance that the United States and other countries to continue supporting the Israel, including its continued freedom and democracy domestically and internationally.

“The United States has made clear that we fully support Israel and its right to do what it must to defend its homeland and citizens,” Scott said. “We must also be clear that Iran is behind this terror.”