Republicans Criticize Prisoner Swap Deal with Iran Despite Release of 5 Long-Held Americans

Republican presidential hopeful Chris Christie criticized the prisoner swap deal with Iran, saying he wouldn't have made the deal and given Iran access to $6 billion in frozen funds.
The deal led to the release of 5 Americans who had been held in Iran, including Emad Shargi, Morad Tahbaz and Siamak Namazi, who were imprisoned for over 5 years.
The released Americans arrived in Doha, Qatar before heading back to the US. Iran released 5 Iranians held in US custody as part of the deal.
The US says the $6 billion transferred to Iran can only be used for humanitarian purposes and each transaction will be closely monitored.
Republicans criticized the deal, saying it could incentivize taking more Americans hostage. Biden said the release represents a diplomatic breakthrough after years of talks.

cnn.com

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Posted 9/19/2023, 3:14:00 AM