Iranian President Defends Prisoner Swap in CNN Interview

Iranian president reacts to release of 5 Americans from Iran prison in interview with CNN
Americans were freed as part of deal including US unfreezing $6B in Iranian funds
Interview airs Sunday on Fareed Zakaria GPS show
Video clip shows Raisi saying the Americans "were condemned"
CNN video package includes 16 clips related to politics

cnn.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. Issues Sanctions Waiver to Enable $6B Transfer to Iran as Part of Prisoner Swap Deal

The Biden administration has facilitated the release of five American citizens detained in Iran by allowing international banks to transfer $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds without fear of U.S. sanctions, while also agreeing to release five Iranian citizens held in the United States.

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.