Qatar Mediates Swap Deal during Months of Negotiations
DOHA, Sept 18 (Reuters) – In a rare moment of cooperation between the United States and Iran, a Qatar-mediated swap deal has resulted in the release of five U.S. citizens and the freedom of five Iranians held in the United States. Additionally, the deal involved the transfer of $6 billion in Iranian funds from South Korea to Qatar, marking a significant breakthrough in the relationship between the two long-time antagonists.
The five U.S. citizens, who had been imprisoned in Iran, arrived in Doha on Monday, where they were embraced by U.S. diplomats. “Today, five innocent Americans who were imprisoned in Iran are finally coming home,” U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement.
Simultaneously, Iran’s Press TV reported that the five Iranians detained by the United States had been granted clemency and were now free. Two of them arrived in Doha, while three opted not to return to Iran.
While it remains unclear whether this exchange will lead to progress on other contentious issues between the two nations, such as Iran’s nuclear program and U.S. sanctions, Biden announced sanctions on Iran’s former president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and its intelligence ministry. This move suggests that Biden aims to maintain a tough stance towards Iran while exploring diplomatic options.
The Qatar-mediated deal was facilitated by a Qatari plane, which flew the U.S. citizens and two of their relatives out of Tehran once the confirmation of the $6 billion transfer from South Korea to Qatari accounts was received. The involvement of mediator Qatar, along with assistance from Oman, Switzerland, and South Korea, was acknowledged and appreciated by Biden.
Republicans have criticized Biden for what they perceive as paying ransom for the release of the U.S. detainees. However, Biden’s aides argue that the money belongs to Iran and will be exclusively spent on humanitarian items with U.S. oversight.
The deal between the United States and Iran, which followed months of negotiations in Qatar, has removed a significant source of tension between the two nations. Nevertheless, a senior U.S. administration official clarifies that the deal does not alter Washington’s adversarial relationship with Tehran, although it leaves room for diplomacy regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
The identities of the released U.S. citizens include Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharqi, and Morad Tahbaz. The fourth and fifth U.S. citizens chose to remain anonymous due to their desire for privacy. The five Iranians released by the United States were named as Mehrdad Moin-Ansari, Kambiz Attar-Kashani, Reza Sarhangpour-Kafrani, Amin Hassanzadeh, and Kaveh Afrasiabi.
As this historic exchange concludes, it remains to be seen whether it will lead to further breakthroughs in the complex relationship between the United States and Iran. For now, the world watches closely, hopeful for a potential opening for diplomacy on key issues.