US and Iran in indirect talks on a possible prisoner swap deal

 

The United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran are holding indirect discussions on a possible prisoner exchange deal, four sources with knowledge of the talks said.

The Joe Biden administration wants to secure the release of American citizens imprisoned in Iran, NBC News has reported, citing four unidentified sources. The US news outlet stated that the talks between the US and Iran “have made progress”, but it is not yet clear if a final agreement on the matter can be reached soon.

The possible deal would see prisoner exchange between the two countries and the release of billions of dollars of Iranian funds in South Korean banks currently blocked by U.S. sanctions.

According to NBC sources, the proposed deal would allow Iran access to the funds only for the purchase of essential items, including food, medicine and other humanitarian purposes.

The US and Iranian authorities have held indirect talks to explore possible arrangements for how to transfer the frozen Iranian funds, with a third country overseeing the transfer.

Earlier this month, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, said that discussions were underway on a possible prisoner swap deal, with third parties helping with possible arrangements. The Iranian Foreign Minister said that an official from the United Kingdom (UK) was acting as a “representative” for the U.S. in indirect talks. He reportedly said, “We’re ready to exchange our prisoners, but there are technical steps that need to be taken by the U.S. We are awaiting the technical steps to be taken.”

A US State Department spokesperson reportedly said, “We want to secure the freedom of all U.S. citizens, who continue to be wrongfully detained in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including Siamak Namazi, Emad Shargi, and Morad Tahbaz.”

Namazi went on a hunger strike last month and wrote a letter to U.S. President Joe Biden. He urged the Biden administration to push Iran for his release.