In Washington, members of the opposition Republican party in the United States have criticized the Joe Biden administration for its decision to release $6 billion of Iran’s funds in exchange for the freedom of five American citizens imprisoned in Tehran.
The White House issued a statement expressing satisfaction with the release of the imprisoned Americans in Iran, indicating that their return to the United States is anticipated.
A spokesperson for US national security affirmed that efforts will persist until the detained individuals are safely back, emphasizing that these US citizens were detained unfairly.
Notably, today, Iran has released five Americans from imprisonment, transferring them to house arrest. Their return to the US is believed to be linked to the release of frozen funds.
While the specifics of the agreement leading to the Americans’ release were not disclosed in the White House statement, Republicans from the opposition party have alleged that a $6 billion ransom was paid to Iran by Joe Biden.
In parallel, a confidential source informed Reuters that Iran has agreed to permit the departure of the Americans following the unfreezing of $6 billion of Iranian assets situated in South Korea.
Reuters’ source further revealed that ongoing discussions between the US and Iran are centered on minor technical matters related to the transfer of the frozen funds to Tehran. The return of US detainees is expected once these technicalities are resolved, with the finalization of the deal anticipated next month, according to reports from the Associated Press (AP).
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has refuted the notion that any concessions will be made to Iran in relation to the existing sanctions. He clarified that the agreement to release the five American citizens is separate from the sanctions imposed on Iran.
Among the released prisoners is Siamak Namazi, who was detained in 2015 on charges of espionage and sentenced to a ten-year prison term. Another detainee is identified as Sergei, while the third individual is named Murad; both were apprehended in 2018 and handed down ten-year prison sentences. Information about the remaining two prisoners is not currently available.
