Five US citizens imprisoned in Iran are expected to return to their country under an agreement brokered by Qatar. Four men and one woman, who also hold Iranian passports, will board the plane after it is confirmed that $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds held in South Korea have reached banks in Doha.
In return, five Iranians held in US prisons on various charges, including violating US sanctions, will be released. The prisoner exchange is part of the agreement finalized last month after a year of indirect talks.
Americans held in Iran’s notorious Evin prison had been told multiple times they would soon be released. This is expected to happen in the coming hours. These people include 51-year-old Siamak Namazi, 59-year-old businessman Emad Shargi and 67-year-old environmentalist Morad Tahbaz, who is also a British citizen.
US President Biden is asked to bring Americans, who have long been used as bargaining chips by Iran, to their country. With this agreement, the money Iran earns from oil sales to South Korea will be released. However, funds deposited in Qatar banks can only be used by third parties to purchase goods such as food and medicine.
The Trade Is Seen As Controversial.
Leading US Republicans and Iranian activists say this will only encourage more hostage-taking. But for prisoners and their loved ones, this means something different.