What’s behind the US-Iran prisoner swap?
1 year, 6 months ago

What’s behind the US-Iran prisoner swap?

Al Jazeera  

Could a US-Iran prisoner swap mean a thawing in relations between the two countries? Five Iranian citizens and five US citizens were released on Monday in the highest-level diplomatic efforts between the two countries in years. In this episode: Dorsa Jabbari, Al Jazeera correspondent in Tehran Imran Khan, Al Jazeera senior correspondent in Doha Heidi Zhou-Castro, Al Jazeera correspondent in Washington Episode credits: This episode was produced by David Enders and Fahrinisa Campana and host Kevin Hirten, in for Malika Bilal. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

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History of this topic

US looking into reported detention of American-Iranian citizen in Iran
4 months, 3 weeks ago

US looking into reported detention of American-Iranian citizen in Iran

CNN  

CNN — An American-Iranian journalist who once worked for a US-funded broadcaster is believed to have been detained in Iran, according to his former employer and multiple press freedom groups. In response to CNN’s request for comment about Valizadeh, the US State Department said Monday only that it was “aware of reports that a dual US-Iranian citizen has been arrested …

Biden thanks Qatar’s emir for rare Iran-US prisoner swap deal
1 year, 5 months ago

Biden thanks Qatar’s emir for rare Iran-US prisoner swap deal

Al Jazeera  

Doha-mediated deal saw Iran free five Americans in exchange for five Iranians held in the US and transfer of $6bn in Iranian funds. Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has received a phone call from United States President Joe Biden who has thanked the Gulf nation’s emir for his help in mediating a landmark prisoner swap deal with Iran. …

US and Iran negotiate rare prisoner swap as Washington releases $US6 billion in frozen assets
1 year, 6 months ago

US and Iran negotiate rare prisoner swap as Washington releases $US6 billion in frozen assets

ABC  

Five US citizens have left Iran and landed in Doha in a prisoner swap for five Iranians held in the United States, and the transfer of $US6 billion in frozen Iranian assets. Key points: 10 Iranian and US prisoners are being swapped in a rare deal between the two nations The US will also transfer $US6 billion to Iran as …

Iran Releases 5 U.S. Prisoners In Swap, Official Says
1 year, 6 months ago

Iran Releases 5 U.S. Prisoners In Swap, Official Says

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Five prisoners sought by the U.S. in a swap with Iran flew out of Tehran on Monday, an official said. Despite the deal, tensions are almost certain to remain high between the U.S. and Iran, which are locked in various disputes, including over Tehran’s nuclear program. via Associated Press Iranian Foreign Ministry …

Iran Hopes for Prisoner Swap with US on Monday as $6B Frozen Funds Access Looms
1 year, 6 months ago

Iran Hopes for Prisoner Swap with US on Monday as $6B Frozen Funds Access Looms

News 18  

Iran hopes that a prisoner swap with the United States will go ahead Monday, once Tehran gains access to $6 billion frozen by US ally South Korea, the Iranian foreign ministry said. Under the deal, which Washington and Tehran have previously confirmed, Iran would release five US citizens from detention and, Iran said, the United States would release five Iranians. …

Five Americans detained in Iran walk free, released in deal for frozen Iranian assets
1 year, 6 months ago

Five Americans detained in Iran walk free, released in deal for frozen Iranian assets

Associated Press  

DOHA, Qatar — Five Americans detained for years in Iran walked off a plane and into freedom Monday, most arm-in-arm, as part of a politically risky deal that saw President Joe Biden agree to the release of nearly $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets owed by a third country, South Korea. “Today, five innocent Americans who were imprisoned in Iran …

US and Iran release prisoners after $6bn transfer
1 year, 6 months ago

US and Iran release prisoners after $6bn transfer

Al Jazeera  

Prisoner exchange includes five Iranians and five Americans, as $6bn in Iranian assets are unfrozen. ‘Grateful’ Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi said the release of five American detainees by Tehran was “purely a humanitarian action”. “I am grateful to our partners at home and abroad for their tireless efforts to help us achieve this outcome, including the governments of Qatar, Oman, …

Five Americans released from Iranian detention are en route to the US
1 year, 6 months ago

Five Americans released from Iranian detention are en route to the US

CNN  

Doha and Washington CNN — Five Americans freed from Iranian detention on Monday are on their way back to the United States after initially stopping in Doha, Qatar, according to a US official and a source familiar with the matter. In his statement, Biden thanked “partners at home and abroad for their tireless efforts to help us achieve this outcome, …

5 Americans freed in controversial Iran prisoner swap are back on U.S. soil
1 year, 6 months ago

5 Americans freed in controversial Iran prisoner swap are back on U.S. soil

LA Times  

From left, in blazers, Emad Sharghi, Morad Tahbaz and Siamak Namazi, former prisoners in Iran, disembark a plane that brought them out of Tehran and to Doha, Qatar, on Monday. “Today, five innocent Americans who were imprisoned in Iran are finally coming home,” Biden said in a statement Monday. Namazi’s father, Baquer, was also arrested by Iran in 2016 when …

Who are the five American prisoners freed in the Iran-US prisoner swap?
1 year, 6 months ago

Who are the five American prisoners freed in the Iran-US prisoner swap?

Al Jazeera  

Siamak Namazi, Emad Shargi and Morad Tahbaz are among US prisoners being released in deal, White House confirms. Five US citizens have been flown out of Iran as part of a widely anticipated prisoner swap deal between Washington and Tehran, a United States official confirmed. The White House has named three of the prisoners, who were released to house arrest …

Iran-US prisoner swap under way
1 year, 6 months ago

Iran-US prisoner swap under way

Al Jazeera  

Five American and five Iranian prisoners are being released in addition to Iran’s assets frozen due to US sanctions. Tehran, Iran – Iran has released five American prisoners, moving them to Tehran’s airport for a flight to the Qatari capital, Doha, as part of a prisoner exchange with the United States. The funds were frozen for years in South Korea …

US-Iran prisoner swap ‘important first step’ but tensions remain: Analysts
1 year, 6 months ago

US-Iran prisoner swap ‘important first step’ but tensions remain: Analysts

Al Jazeera  

A major diplomatic breakthrough between Tehran and Washington remains unlikely before 2024 US election, experts say. Alex Vatanka, director of the Iran programme at the Middle East Institute think tank in Washington, DC, called the prisoner exchange a “transactional deal”. Sina Toossi, a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy think tank in Washington, DC, said while it remains …

Iran-US prisoner swap: How Democrats and Republicans reacted to the deal
1 year, 6 months ago

Iran-US prisoner swap: How Democrats and Republicans reacted to the deal

Al Jazeera  

Republicans decry the exchange as US officials hail the release of detainees and warn Americans against travel to Iran. Donald Trump slams prisoner swap Former US President Donald Trump slammed the prisoner swap on Monday, calling Biden “dumb” for agreeing to unfreeze the Iranian funds. US ‘confident’ funds will be used for humanitarian purposes: Blinken Secretary of State Antony Blinken …

Iran ready to implement prisoner swap deal with US, official says
1 year, 6 months ago

Iran ready to implement prisoner swap deal with US, official says

Al Jazeera  

Under the Qatar-mediated deal, five prisoners would be freed by each side and $6bn in Iranian assets would be released. Iran’s foreign minister has said his country is ready to implement a Qatar-mediated deal with the United States, under which Washington and Tehran each would free five prisoners and $6bn in Iranian assets held in South Korea would be released. …

Analysis: Iran-US prisoner swap for billions reveals familiar limits of diplomacy between nations
1 year, 6 months ago

Analysis: Iran-US prisoner swap for billions reveals familiar limits of diplomacy between nations

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — American captives could be exchanged for billions of dollars of frozen Iranian assets, even as critics back in Washington warn against dealing with Tehran. In 1981, Iranian negotiator Behzad Nabavi described the deal freeing the Americans held as rubbing “in the dirt the nose of the world’s biggest oppressor and superpower, thus forcing it to …

Analysis: Iran-US prisoner swap for billions reveals familiar limits of diplomacy between nations
1 year, 6 months ago

Analysis: Iran-US prisoner swap for billions reveals familiar limits of diplomacy between nations

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In 1981, Iranian negotiator Behzad Nabavi described the deal freeing the Americans held as …

US defends prisoner swap deal with Iran against Republican attacks
1 year, 6 months ago

US defends prisoner swap deal with Iran against Republican attacks

Al Jazeera  

Washington stresses that funds set to be unblocked to secure the release of detained Americans are Tehran’s own. Washington, DC – United States President Joe Biden’s administration has defended a looming prisoner swap deal with Iran against growing criticism from Republican legislators who say it will bolster the Iranian government. US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Tuesday …

What’s happening with the Iran-US prisoner swap deal?
1 year, 6 months ago

What’s happening with the Iran-US prisoner swap deal?

Al Jazeera  

Tehran and Washington are expected to exchange prisoners after Iran regains access to its blocked money. Tehran, Iran – A prisoner exchange deal between Iran and the United States looks like it’s on track, promising to release 10 people and billions of dollars of frozen assets. As part of the deal, five US prisoners held in Iran will be exchanged …

The US moves to advance a prisoner swap deal with Iran and release $6 billion in frozen funds
1 year, 6 months ago

The US moves to advance a prisoner swap deal with Iran and release $6 billion in frozen funds

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration has cleared the way for the release of five American citizens detained in Iran by issuing a blanket waiver for international banks to transfer $6 billion in frozen Iranian money from South Korea to Qatar without fear of U.S. sanctions. On X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa said “it’s …

US-Iran relations: Why did the prisoner exchange deal happen now?
1 year, 6 months ago

US-Iran relations: Why did the prisoner exchange deal happen now?

Al Jazeera  

Critics have argued that the US has given into Iranian blackmail by agreeing to a prisoner exchange deal. I’m not saying Iranian law is practised in an appropriate way, but since the US withdrew from the 2018 JCPOA nuclear deal and placed Iran under extraordinary sanctions and froze all its funds when Tehran had been complying with the deal, the …

US-Iran prisoner swap deal is ‘on track’, says White House official
1 year, 7 months ago

US-Iran prisoner swap deal is ‘on track’, says White House official

Al Jazeera  

Agreement is ‘proceeding’ but there is no exact timetable for swap, says US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has said that a prisoner swap deal between the United States and Iran is “on track”, less than two weeks after Tehran moved five detained US citizens to house arrest. But we believe that that …

‘Important step’: What we know about tentative US-Iran prisoner deal
1 year, 7 months ago

‘Important step’: What we know about tentative US-Iran prisoner deal

Al Jazeera  

More details have slowly begun to emerge of a tentative deal that would see the United States and Iran engage in a prisoner swap in exchange for giving the Iranian government access to billions of dollars in frozen funds. On Friday, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the “process of releasing several billion dollars of Iranian …

Iran transfers 5 Iranian-Americans from prison to house arrest in step toward deal for full release
1 year, 7 months ago

Iran transfers 5 Iranian-Americans from prison to house arrest in step toward deal for full release

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran has moved five Iranian-Americans from prison to house arrest in exchange for billions of dollars frozen in South Korea, U.S. and Iranian officials said Thursday, as part of a tentative deal that follows months of heightened tensions between the two countries. Iran, meanwhile, has said it seeks the release of Iranian prisoners held in …

US citizens detained in Iran moved from prison to house arrest
1 year, 7 months ago

US citizens detained in Iran moved from prison to house arrest

Al Jazeera  

US news outlets say transfer marks first step in potential prisoner swap deal between Washington and Tehran. A handful United States citizens imprisoned in Iran have been moved to house arrest, in what US news outlets are reporting is the first step in a potential prisoner swap deal between Washington and Tehran. Namazi’s brother, Babak, said on Thursday that he …

Iran says 'everything ready' for prisoner swap, US denies
2 years ago

Iran says 'everything ready' for prisoner swap, US denies

Hindustan Times  

Iran and the United States have reached an agreement to exchange prisoners, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told state TV on Sunday, but Washington denied it as a "false" claim by Tehran. A White House official denied Amirabdollahian's statement about the prisoner swap with Washington, adding that the United States was committed to securing the release of Americans held in …

Iran signals US prisoner exchange could be close
2 years ago

Iran signals US prisoner exchange could be close

Al Jazeera  

US official denies claims by Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian that an initial deal has been reached. Tehran, Iran – Iran’s foreign minister has signalled that an exchange of prisoners with the United States could happen soon after he said an initial agreement has been reached on the long-standing issue, however a US official dismissed the claims as false. The …

Iran blames US for delay in prisoner swap deal
2 years, 1 month ago

Iran blames US for delay in prisoner swap deal

Al Jazeera  

It remains unclear whether an agreement can be finalised as Tehran maintains Washington is acting in bad faith. Tehran, Iran – Iran has blamed the United States for failing to reach an agreement over a prisoner swap deal amid reports that progress had been made after a lull of several months. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani on Monday told …

US and Iran in indirect talks on prisoner swap deal: Report
2 years, 1 month ago

US and Iran in indirect talks on prisoner swap deal: Report

Al Jazeera  

Qatar and UK are acting as intermediaries to secure agreement to release Americans jailed in Iran, NBC News reports. The United States and Iran are in indirect negotiations to secure a possible prisoner exchange, with Qatar and the United Kingdom acting as intermediaries, NBC News has reported, citing four unidentified sources. “What is not sensitive and what I repeat just …

After US denied deal, Iran says prisoner swap talks ongoing
3 years, 8 months ago

After US denied deal, Iran says prisoner swap talks ongoing

Associated Press  

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s government spokesman said Tuesday that talks with the United States about a prisoner exchange are still ongoing, two months after Washington denied an Iranian report that deals had been struck. State Department spokesman Ned Price said Tuesday that “indirect but active” talks with Iran over prisoners have been going on for some time — and pre-date …

US denies Iran state media report saying prisoner swap agreed
3 years, 10 months ago

US denies Iran state media report saying prisoner swap agreed

Al Jazeera  

Meanwhile, UK downplays Iranian state TV report on Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s possible release from prison. The state TV report, quoting the unnamed Iranian official, also said British-Iranian national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe would be released once Britain had paid off a debt on military equipment owed to Tehran. There is no agreement to release these four Americans.” pic.twitter.com/aLIrHlEneg — Face The Nation May …

Iran wants nationals freed from US jails amid nuclear talks
3 years, 10 months ago

Iran wants nationals freed from US jails amid nuclear talks

Associated Press  

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran said Tuesday it was seeking the release of all Iranian prisoners held in the U.S. amid talks in Vienna meant to bring Tehran and Washington back into the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. Cabinet spokesman Ali Rabiei also hinted that another exchange of prisoners between Iran and America was possible, saying that “the idea …

Iran ready to exchange prisoners with US ‘without preconditions’
4 years, 10 months ago

Iran ready to exchange prisoners with US ‘without preconditions’

Al Jazeera  

Gov’t spokesman says Tehran keen on swap talks because of fears coronavirus could put lives of prisoners in US at risk. “We hope that as the outbreak of the COVID-19 disease threatens the lives of Iranian citizens in the US prisons, the US government eventually will prefer lives to politics.” Rabiei said Tehran considers Washington responsible for the health of …

Iran ready for more prisoner swaps with US, not negotiations
5 years, 3 months ago

Iran ready for more prisoner swaps with US, not negotiations

Associated Press  

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran is ready for more prisoner swaps with the United States, the Cabinet spokesman said Monday even as he reiterated the Iranian leadership’s stance that there will be no other negotiations between Tehran and Washington. Rabiei said any further negotiations would be possible through the so-called 5+1 framework — a reference to the five permanent U.N. Security …

Iran sends US list of names for its proposed prisoner swap
5 years, 5 months ago

Iran sends US list of names for its proposed prisoner swap

Associated Press  

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s foreign ministry said Monday it has sent the United States a list of names it is demanding in a proposed prisoner swap, opening a potential new channel with Washington amid recent growing tensions. Iran did not detail the names it relayed, but Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said he hoped to hear soon “good news” about …

Iran spy TV show glorifies hard-liners imprisoning reporter
5 years, 8 months ago

Iran spy TV show glorifies hard-liners imprisoning reporter

Associated Press  

TEHRAN, Iran — The Farsi caption has unfurled across the black screen of a channel of Iranian state television every night for days now, promising viewers that what they are about to witness is “based on a real case.” But the slick graphics, chase scenes and gunfights of “Gando” serve a far different purpose — trying to offer justification of …

Iranian diplomat makes public a prisoner swap offer to the U.S.
5 years, 11 months ago

Iranian diplomat makes public a prisoner swap offer to the U.S.

LA Times  

Iran’s top diplomat on Wednesday made public an offer to the U.S. government for a prisoner swap that he said he made six months ago. The U.S. State Department made no mention of a prisoner swap in a statement that said: “The Iranian regime can demonstrate its seriousness regarding consular issues, including Iranians who have been indicted or convicted of …

Iranian-American Released In Prisoner Exchange Criticizes His Treatment
9 years, 1 month ago

Iranian-American Released In Prisoner Exchange Criticizes His Treatment

NPR  

Iranian-American Released In Prisoner Exchange Criticizes His Treatment NPR's Robert Siegel interviews Nader Modanlo, an Iranian-American who was released from U.S. federal prison as part of the swap of American prisoners in Iran. ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST: The prisoner swap earlier this month between Iran and the U.S. has many people celebrating, but not Nader Modanlo. SIEGEL: When the prisoner deal, …

U.S.-Iran prisoner exchange eases a notable irritant
9 years, 2 months ago

U.S.-Iran prisoner exchange eases a notable irritant

The Hindu  

Four Americans and seven Iranians got tickets to freedom in a prisoner swap playing out alongside the kick—start of an accord lifting heavy international sanctions on Iran in return for its agreement to pull back its nuclear program. Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati, pastor Saeed Abedini and Nosratollah Khosravi—Roodsari, whose name had not been previously …

Iran releases Americans in breakthrough prisoner exchange
9 years, 2 months ago

Iran releases Americans in breakthrough prisoner exchange

Associated Press  

VIENNA — Four Americans detained in Iran will be coming home and seven Iranians in U.S. custody also will win their freedom in a breakthrough swap negotiated by the longtime foes, officials in both countries said. Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati, pastor Saeed Abedini and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari, whose name had not been previously made public, …

Path To U.S.-Iran Deal, Prisoner Swap Began Years Ago
9 years, 2 months ago

Path To U.S.-Iran Deal, Prisoner Swap Began Years Ago

NPR  

Path To U.S.-Iran Deal, Prisoner Swap Began Years Ago Enlarge this image toggle caption Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Iran is open for business again as ten years of punishing international sanctions are lifted. President Hassan Rouhani declared the nuclear deal a "golden page" in Iran's history as he presented a new budget to parliament on Sunday. "This will …

Iran Says U.S. Will Release These 7 Men In Exchange For 4 Americans
9 years, 2 months ago

Iran Says U.S. Will Release These 7 Men In Exchange For 4 Americans

Huff Post  

The U.S. plans to free seven Iranian citizens who were either serving time or awaiting trial for alleged sanctions violations in exchange for four Americans who were being held in Iran. Iran's official state news agency, IRNA, named the Iranians set for release as Nader Modanlou, Bahram Mechanic, Khosrow Afghahi, Arash Ghahraman, Tooraj Faridi, Nima Golestaneh and Ali Saboonchi. Mechanic's …

These Are The 4 Americans Iran Just Released
9 years, 2 months ago

These Are The 4 Americans Iran Just Released

Huff Post  

WASHINGTON -- Iran freed four Americans as part of a prisoner release deal with the U.S. on Saturday. The identities of three of the Americans were already known: Washington Post Tehran correspondent Jason Rezaian, former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati and Christian pastor Saeed Abedini. In 2013, shortly after Hassan Rouhani, a political moderate, became president, Rezaian wrote about the tension …

Iran Releases 4 American Prisoners After Months Of Top-Secret Negotiations
9 years, 2 months ago

Iran Releases 4 American Prisoners After Months Of Top-Secret Negotiations

Huff Post  

Ali Rezaian, the brother of imprisoned Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, gives reporters an update on his brother's case at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on July 22, 2015. On Saturday, the International Atomic Energy Agency issued a report confirming Iran's compliance with the July 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran, the U.S. and five world powers -- a …

Iran releases 4 Americans in prisoner swap with U.S.
9 years, 2 months ago

Iran releases 4 Americans in prisoner swap with U.S.

LA Times  

Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian in Tehran in 2013. The prisoner exchange came days after Iran swiftly freed 10 U.S. sailors who had been captured in Iranian territorial waters in the Persian Gulf, averting a potential crisis that could have derailed the nuclear deal. Their release, stressed another official, was a “one-time arrangement because it was an opportunity to bring …

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