Plane with 5 Freed Americans Lands in US After Prisoner Swap Deal with Iran

A plane carrying 5 Americans freed by Iran landed in the US after being swapped for 5 Iranians and $6 billion in frozen funds.
The Americans include dual citizens Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharqi, Morad Tahbaz, and two unnamed individuals.
The deal removes friction between the US and Iran, though unclear if it brings them closer on other issues.
The 5 Americans flew out of Tehran hours after funds were deposited in Qatar-managed accounts.
It follows months of Qatar-mediated talks and a choreographed exchange triggered by the transfer of blocked funds.

nypost.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/10/2023

Americans moved to Iran house arrest in planned prisoner swap

Main Topic: Prisoner exchange between Iran and the United States, involving the release of American citizens held in Iran and the unfreezing of Iranian government assets. Key Points: 1. Five Americans imprisoned in Iran have been placed under house arrest as part of the planned prisoner exchange. 2. The exchange will also involve the release of roughly $6 billion in Iranian government assets blocked under U.S. sanctions. 3. The prisoner exchange negotiations have been ongoing for months, with Qatar and other governments acting as intermediaries.

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.

9/18/2023

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.

9/20/2023

Iran Frees 5 Americans in Prisoner Swap, Unfreezing $6B in Iranian Funds

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi says that the release of the five Americans from Iranian detention was prompted by purely humanitarian motives and was an opportunity to show the true face of Iran's humanitarian efforts, as he defends the decision to unfreeze Iranian funds.

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Posted 9/19/2023, 10:37:00 AM

Plane with 5 Freed Americans Lands in US After Prisoner Swap Deal with Iran

A plane carrying 5 Americans freed by Iran landed in the US after being swapped for 5 Iranians and $6 billion in frozen funds.
The Americans include dual citizens Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharqi, Morad Tahbaz, and two unnamed individuals.
The deal removes friction between the US and Iran, though unclear if it brings them closer on other issues.
The 5 Americans flew out of Tehran hours after funds were deposited in Qatar-managed accounts.
It follows months of Qatar-mediated talks and a choreographed exchange triggered by the transfer of blocked funds.

nypost.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/10/2023

Americans moved to Iran house arrest in planned prisoner swap

9/11/2023

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

9/18/2023

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

9/18/2023

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

9/20/2023

Iran Frees 5 Americans in Prisoner Swap, Unfreezing $6B in Iranian Funds