Voice of America
18 Sep 2023, 14:06 GMT+10
Iran said it expects a prisoner swap with the United States and the unlocking of $6 billion in Iranian funds to take place Monday.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said during a news conference that Iran expected the funds, which were frozen under U.S. sanctions and are to be used only for humanitarian purposes, to be transferred from accounts in South Korea to accounts in Qatar.
The release of the 10 people involved in the agreement would follow.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told VOA last week that the Biden administration hoped the transfer would happen "in the coming days."
Three of the Americans in the swap have been publicly identified: Siamak Namazi, Emad Shargi and Morad Tahbaz. They along with one of the unnamed Americans were moved from Tehran's Evin prison to house arrest, while an American woman also set to be a part of the deal was already under house arrest.
Iran has identified five Iranian nationals it wants to see released under the deal.
Iran's U.N. mission in New York confirmed to VOA the Iranian list includes Kaveh Lotfolah Afrasiabi, Mehrdad Ansari, Amin Hasanzadeh, Reza Sarhangpour Kafrani and Kambiz Attar Kashani.
Ansari and Kashani are serving federal prison sentences, while Afrasiabi, Hasanzadeh and Kafrani are on supervised pre-trial release.
The agreement also included the United States allowing certain Iranian funds frozen under U.S. sanctions to be transferred from accounts in South Korea to accounts in Qatar.
The Iranian funds transferred to Qatar are designated for use only for humanitarian purposes. The Biden administration has rejected criticism that Iran will be able to use the money for other purposes, with U.S. officials saying there will be oversight to ensure withdrawals are designated for approved transactions.
Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters
Get a daily dose of New York Telegraph news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to New York Telegraph.
More InformationNEW YORK, New York - Global stock indices closed with divergent performances on Tuesday, as investors weighed corporate earnings, central...
TORONTO, Canada: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced late on June 29 that trade negotiations with the U.S. have recommenced...
Vancouver, Canada: A high-stakes legal showdown is brewing in the world of athleisure. Lululemon, the Canadian brand known for its...
LONDON, U.K.: British oil giant Shell has denied reports that it is in talks to acquire rival oil company BP. The Wall Street Journal...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stock markets closed firmly in positive territory to start the week Monday, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: On Friday, President Donald Trump announced that he was halting trade discussions with Canada due to its decision...
]LONDON, U.K.: A World Health Organization (WHO) expert group investigating the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic released its final...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: The U.S. dollar tumbled this week, hitting its lowest levels since 2021 against the euro, British pound, and...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Walmart is set to close a major Sam's Club fulfillment center in Fort Worth, Texas, as part of a shift in...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: New York City's financial markets reacted sharply this week as shares of local banks and real estate investment...
New York [US], July 1 (ANI): The 200 Years of Assam Tea celebrations at the Summer Fancy Food Show 2025 in New York witnessed a special...
Washington, DC [US], July 1 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya on the sidelines...