The Biden administration notified Congress 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 Tehran government.
The deal also calls for the freeing of five unidentified Iranians held by the US.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed off Friday on a waiver permitting banks in Europe, Asia and the Middle East to transfer the funds to accounts at Qatar’s central bank, where they are meant to be used to purchase humanitarian items like food and medicine amid ongoing US sanctions on Iran.
National Security Council spokesman Adrienne Watson said in a statement that negotiations over the timing of the Americans’ release were a “sensitive and ongoing process.”
“While this is a step in the process, no individuals have been or will be released into US custody this week,” Watson said. “We have kept Congress extensively informed from the outset of this process — long before today — and we will continue to do so, including with additional already scheduled briefings 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 terms negotiations were finalized. The fifth detainee was already under house arrest.
Emad Shargi is one of five U.S. citizens imprisoned in Iran. Shargi Family HandoutThe Associated Press, citing people familiar with the talks, reported that the US prisoners are expected to be released as soon as next week.
Human rights attorney 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 yet to be made public.
Namazi was detained in 2015, while Sharghi and the British-American Tahbaz were arrested in 2018. All received 10-year prison sentences on trumped-up espionage charges.
Namazi is one of multiple U.S. citizens being held by held for years by the theocratic Tehran government. Family handoutThe timing of the notification that $6 billion would be transferred to Iran, a leading sponsor of terror in the Middle East and beyond, on the 22nd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, triggered outrage from congressional Republicans.
“Biden fails to pay his respects on the anniversary of 9/11 to any of the sites on this historically tragic day, but makes a deal to swap five Iranian prisoners and unfreeze $6 billion to Iran’s regime,” Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) said in a statement. “I vehemently oppose this decision that will ultimately fund terrorist activities against Americans and our allies … This is the most corrupt and compromised administration in America’s history and he’s out to destroy America.”
Morad Tahbaz is one of five U.S. citizens being imprisoned in Tehran. Family handout“By allowing the regime to increase their profits by $6 billion, President Biden is recklessly putting at risk dozens of Americans as he greenlights Iran’s violent activities and encourages more hostage ‘diplomacy,’” 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 on the line. This failed strategy of appeasement must end.”
“The Americans held by Iran are innocent hostages who must be released immediately and unconditionally,” 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 for Iran, the world’s top state sponsor of terrorism, creates a direct incentive for America’s adversaries to conduct future hostage-taking.
“It’s particularly egregious,” McCaul added, “that this is taking place on the same week as the anniversaries of 9/11—as Iran is actively harboring the leader of Al Qaeda—and Mahsa Amini’s murder by Iran’s so-called ‘morality police.’ The administration is demonstrating 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 is meant to be used to purchase humanitarian items like food and medicine amid ongoing US sanctions.
The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
