Iran Plans to Spend Released $6 Billion With Little U.S. Oversight Despite Prisoner Swap Deal

Iranian President says $6 billion released in prisoner exchange will be spent "wherever we need it" despite U.S. oversight.
Funds will be transferred to Qatar first, then Iran will decide how to allocate them, though U.S. says it will monitor transactions.
Critics argue deal enables Iran to free up other funds for weapons or proxies.
Raisi said American prisoners in Iran are "very healthy" and will be released soon.
Prisoner exchange involves release of 5 Americans for 5 Iranians, and unfreezing of $6 billion in Iranian funds.

nbcnews.com

Relevant topic timeline:

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

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.

9/18/2023

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

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.

10/11/2023

Yellen: $6 Billion in Iranian Funds Could Be Refrozen Amid Tensions Over Oil Revenue and Hamas Attack

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has indicated that the possibility of refreezing $6 billion of Iranian oil revenue held in Qatar is still on the table, though no decisions have been made yet, and she emphasized that the funds were originally intended for humanitarian purposes and have not been accessed by Iran.

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Posted 9/12/2023, 11:11:36 AM

Iran Plans to Spend Released $6 Billion With Little U.S. Oversight Despite Prisoner Swap Deal

Iranian President says $6 billion released in prisoner exchange will be spent "wherever we need it" despite U.S. oversight.
Funds will be transferred to Qatar first, then Iran will decide how to allocate them, though U.S. says it will monitor transactions.
Critics argue deal enables Iran to free up other funds for weapons or proxies.
Raisi said American prisoners in Iran are "very healthy" and will be released soon.
Prisoner exchange involves release of 5 Americans for 5 Iranians, and unfreezing of $6 billion in Iranian funds.

nbcnews.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/11/2023

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

9/12/2023

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

9/18/2023

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

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

10/11/2023

Yellen: $6 Billion in Iranian Funds Could Be Refrozen Amid Tensions Over Oil Revenue and Hamas Attack