Tehran, 12 September, 2023(GNP): In a significant development, Iran and the United States are on track to implement a prisoner exchange deal that promises to release 10 individuals and unlock approximately $6 billion in frozen assets.
The historic agreement, reached in August after years of negotiations through mediators, reflects the commitment of both nations to address long-standing issues.
The key elements of the agreement include the exchange of five US prisoners held in Iran in return for the five Iranians held by the US.
Additionally, Iran will regain access to a portion of its assets frozen abroad. While these discussions ran parallel to indirect negotiations aimed at reinstating the 2015 nuclear deal, the prisoner exchange now takes center stage.
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Iran has already released four of the five American prisoners, moving them to house arrest, while a fifth was already under house arrest.
Three of the released prisoners have been identified, including Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharghi, and Morad Tahbaz, all of whom faced charges related to espionage and cooperation with a foreign government.
The identities of the remaining two Americans have not been officially confirmed, but Western media reports suggest one of them is a woman.
On the Iranian side, the individuals to be released include Mehrdad Moein Ansari, Kambiz Attar Kashani, Reza Sarhangpour Kafrani, Amin Hasanzadeh, and Kaveh Afrasiabi. Four of them faced charges of violating unilateral US sanctions on Iran, while the fifth was accused of acting as an unregistered foreign agent of the Iranian establishment.
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The agreement also encompasses the release of several billion dollars in Iranian funds that had been blocked in South Korea due to unilateral US sanctions.
Although initially totaling $7 billion, currency fluctuations have reduced this amount to $6 billion. This money has now been transferred to European banks and is expected to be moved to Qatar, allowing Iran to access it.
It’s important to note that the released funds can only be used for purchases exempt from US sanctions. The US administration has emphasized that the money is not derived from Washington’s coffers but represents funds that the previous administration permitted Iran to access.
As a further sign of progress, the US issued a waiver permitting the transfer of these funds from banks in Switzerland and Germany to Qatar. It is anticipated that the prisoner release will follow, potentially with mediation from Qatar or Oman.
While some US critics have voiced concerns over the deal, arguing that it compromises American interests, the Biden administration has underscored its commitment to securing the release of American citizens held abroad. The agreement is seen as a positive step forward in promoting diplomacy and addressing long-standing issues between Iran and the US.