The Biden administration notified Congress on Monday that it had agreed to unfreeze approximately $6 billion in Iranian assets in exchange for the release of five American citizens held for years by the theocratic government in Tehran.
The agreement also calls for the release of five unidentified Iranians detained by the United States.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday signed a waiver allowing banks in Europe, Asia and the Middle East to transfer the funds to accounts at Qatar’s central bank, where they will be used to purchase humanitarian items such as food and medicine amid of the current American crisis. sanctions on Iran.
National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement that negotiations over the timing of the Americans’ release were a “sensitive and ongoing process.”
“While this is one step in the process, no person has been or will be released from US custody this week,” Watson said. “We have kept Congress broadly informed since the beginning of this process, well before today, and will continue to do so, including with additional briefings already scheduled for this week.”
Four of the five American detainees had been moved to house arrest last month from Iran’s notorious Evin prison, in what the White House hailed as a tentative first step as negotiations over terms were finalized. The fifth detainee was already under house arrest.
Emad Shargi is one of five American citizens imprisoned in Iran. Shargi Family Brochure
The Associated Press, citing people familiar with the talks, reported that the American prisoners are expected to be released next week.
Human rights lawyer Jared Genser had identified three of the five hostages at the time as Siamak Namazi, businessman Emad Shargi and environmentalist Morad Tahbaz. The identities of the fourth and fifth person have not yet been made public.
Namazi was detained in 2015, while Sharghi and British-American Tahbaz were arrested in 2018. They all received 10-year prison sentences on trumped-up espionage charges.
Namazi is one of multiple American citizens held for years by the theocratic government in Tehran. family brochure
The timing of the notification that $6 billion would be transferred to Iran, a major sponsor of terrorism in the Middle East and beyond, on the 22nd anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, sparked outrage among Republicans in Congress.
“Biden does not pay his respects on the anniversary of 9/11 to any of the sites on this historically tragic day, but makes a deal to exchange five Iranian prisoners and unfreeze $6 billion for the Iranian regime,” the representative said. Cory Mills (R- Florida) said in a statement. “I vehemently oppose this decision which will ultimately fund terrorist activities against Americans and our allies…This is the most corrupt and compromised administration in American history and its goal is to destroy America.”
Morad Tahbaz is one of five American citizens imprisoned in Tehran. family brochure
“By allowing the regime to increase its profits by $6 billion, President Biden is recklessly putting dozens of Americans at risk while giving the green light to Iran’s violent activities and encouraging more hostage ‘diplomacy’,” he added. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). “I have worked to hold this administration accountable, but President Biden is doubling down on his weakness on the world stage, putting American lives at stake. “This failed appeasement strategy must end.”
“Americans held by Iran are innocent hostages who must be immediately and unconditionally released,” said House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas). “However, I remain deeply concerned that the administration’s decision to waive sanctions to facilitate the transfer of $6 billion in funds to Iran, the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, creates a direct incentive for America’s adversaries carry out future hostage takings.
“It is particularly egregious,” McCaul added, “that this is taking place the same week as the anniversaries of 9/11 (while Iran actively protects the Al Qaeda leader) and the assassination of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the so-called ‘ moral police’ of Iran. .’ “The administration is demonstrating a weakness that only further endangers Americans and freedom-loving people around the world.”
The money will be converted by banks in Europe, Asia and the Middle East and transferred to an account at Qatar’s central bank, where it will be used to purchase humanitarian items such as food and medicine amid ongoing US sanctions.
The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn