Five U.S. detainees flew out of Iran on Monday in a swap for five Iranians held in the U.S. in a rare deal between the arch-enemies that also unfroze $6 billion of Tehran's funds.
At the same time, two of the five Iranians landed in Qatar, a U.S. official said.
The deal, after months of talks in Qatar, removes a major irritant between the U.S., which brands Tehran a sponsor of terrorism, and Iran, which calls Washington the "Great Satan".
Kanaani said the funds, blocked in South Korea after U.S. sanctions on Iran were hardened in 2018, would be available to Tehran on Monday.
Under the deal, Qatar will ensure the cash is spent on humanitarian goods and not items under U.S. sanctions.
Persons:
Namazi, Jose Angel Pereira, Nasser Kanaani, Kanaani
Organizations:
Five U.S, Qatar, Reuters, U.S, Iranian, Foreign Ministry
Locations:
Georgetown, Washington, Iran, Venezuela, U.S, Tehran, Doha, Qatar, Gulf ., South Korea