The U.S. Didn’t Owe Iran $1.7 Billion

On Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal reported that in addition to the previously revealed cash payment to the Islamic Republic of $400 million—apparently given as ransom for American hostages—the U.S. paid an additional $1.3 billion, likewise delivered in planeloads of cash. The White House has continued to claim that these funds were owed to Iran because of a 1979 arms sale that fell through and, furthermore, that the sum of $1.7 billion is preferable to any verdict likely be handed down if the case were to go before the tribunal for such claims at The Hague. Meanwhile, Rick Richman writes, not only has the administration failed to disclose its calculations but the payments might be flatly prohibited by U.S. law: