Biden Frees Up $6 Billion to Secure Release of 5 Detained Americans in Prisoner Swap with Iran

The Biden administration issued a waiver allowing banks to transfer $6 billion in restricted Iranian funds to Qatar without sanctions, a key step in freeing 5 detained Americans.
The process began in August with 4 Americans released into house arrest. The waiver signals the process may be nearing its end.
Blinken confirmed the US committed to allow the transfer from South Korea to Qatar for humanitarian goods.
Blinken confirmed the prisoner swap, with the US releasing 5 Iranians detained in the US.
The deal could face Republican opposition but would bring home the 5 Americans after weeks of indirect US-Iran talks.

cnn.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/10/2023

Qatar Mediates U.S.-Iran Prisoner Swap Deal, Iranian Prisoners Released to House Arrest

When $6 billion of unfrozen Iranian funds are wired to banks in Qatar, it will initiate a process of the release of U.S. dual nationals detained in Iran and the homecoming of Iranian prisoners in the U.S., mediated by Qatar.

9/11/2023

U.S. Agrees to Unfreeze $6 Billion in Iranian Assets to Secure Release of 5 Americans Held in Iran

The Biden administration has agreed to unfreeze approximately $6 billion in Iranian assets in exchange for the release of five American citizens held by Iran, with the deal also calling for the freeing of five unidentified Iranians held by the US, triggering potential outrage due to the timing coinciding with the anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

9/12/2023

U.S. Pursues Prisoner Swap with Iran; New COVID Vaccine Approved; Morocco Declines Quake Aid; Google Antitrust Trial Begins; Hurricane Lee Threatens New England

### Summary The Biden administration issues a waiver allowing banks to transfer $6 billion in frozen Iranian oil funds in an effort to secure the release of American prisoners from Iran; the FDA approves a new coronavirus vaccine targeting the omicron subvariant; Morocco's slow acceptance of foreign earthquake aid raises confusion among foreign officials; the antitrust trial against Google begins, potentially impacting the tech landscape for the next decade; Hurricane Lee poses a threat to eastern New England; and Drew Barrymore is bringing back her talk show amidst the Hollywood strikes.

9/12/2023

GOP Slams Biden's Iran Prisoner Swap as 'Ransom' to Terror State

The Biden administration's decision to carry out a prisoner exchange with Iran, involving issuing a waiver to release $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds, has sparked outrage from Republicans who accuse Biden of paying a ransom to a state sponsor of terrorism.

9/12/2023

U.S. Releases $6 Billion in Iranian Funds for Prisoner Swap Deal, But Tensions Remain

The Biden administration is disputing Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's claim that Iran will decide how to use the $6 billion in frozen funds released by the US in a prisoner exchange deal, stating that the funds can only be used for humanitarian purposes and will be under strict oversight.

9/18/2023

Iran to Receive $6 Billion From Frozen Funds as Part of Prisoner Swap Deal With U.S.

Iran and the United States have been notified that $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds have been transferred to accounts in Qatar, paving the way for a swap of five detainees between the two countries.

9/18/2023

Five Americans Freed from Iran Prison in Rare US-Iran Prisoner Swap Deal

Five Americans, who were wrongfully detained in Iran, have been freed and are being flown to Doha as part of a broader deal that includes the US unfreezing $6 billion in Iranian funds, marking a significant diplomatic breakthrough after years of complicated negotiations between the two countries.

9/18/2023

Biden Secures Release of 5 Americans from Iran, But Deal Draws Criticism

President Biden's deal with Iran to free five imprisoned Americans by unlocking $6 billion in frozen funds is facing criticism from his domestic opponents, highlighting the difficult balancing act that presidents face in navigating humanitarian concerns, geopolitics, and domestic considerations.

10/11/2023

Blinken Defends Unfreezing Iranian Assets, Insists Funds Won't Go to Hamas

Biden administration officials defend transfer of frozen assets to Iran, denying connection between the assets and recent attacks by Hamas on Israel.

Topics

Posted 9/11/2023, 10:18:00 PM

Biden Frees Up $6 Billion to Secure Release of 5 Detained Americans in Prisoner Swap with Iran

The Biden administration issued a waiver allowing banks to transfer $6 billion in restricted Iranian funds to Qatar without sanctions, a key step in freeing 5 detained Americans.
The process began in August with 4 Americans released into house arrest. The waiver signals the process may be nearing its end.
Blinken confirmed the US committed to allow the transfer from South Korea to Qatar for humanitarian goods.
Blinken confirmed the prisoner swap, with the US releasing 5 Iranians detained in the US.
The deal could face Republican opposition but would bring home the 5 Americans after weeks of indirect US-Iran talks.