Five Americans who had been imprisoned in Iran left the country today after the U.S. negotiated their release, President Biden said.
The agreement involved unfreezing $6 billion in Iranian oil revenue and dismissing federal charges against five Iranians.
The Americans are returning to the U.S., but three of the Iranians declined to return to Iran, according to U.S. officials.
The American prisoners had been jailed in Iran on unsubstantiated charges of spying, and some had been held for years in Evin Prison, one of the country’s most notorious detention centers.
News of the arrangement has generated intense criticism from Republicans who say that releasing billions in oil revenue amounts to paying a ransom and that it could lead to the taking of more hostages.
Persons:
Biden, Siamak, Emad, Morad, —
Organizations:
Biden, U.S
Locations:
Iran, Doha, Qatar, U.S