Headline Roundup • September 17th, 2023
Iran to Release 5 Detained Americans in Exchange for Frozen Assets
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Five Americans imprisoned in Iran will be released Monday in exchange for roughly $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets and the release of five Iranians currently in U.S. prisons.
The Details: The Americans had been detained on a range of spying or conspiracy charges; the detained Iranians had been charged with violating sanctions. South Korea owed Iran the $6 billion for oil, but it was frozen by U.S. sanctions in 2019. According to U.S. officials, the money will be in restricted accounts and can only be used for humanitarian purchases like food and medicine.
How the Media Covered It: Sources across the spectrum covered the swap prominently on Monday. Many framed it as controversial. Some left-rated sources highlighted how tensions between the U.S. and Iran over Iran's nuclear program are likely to remain high. BBC (Center bias) said the "complex and controversial" swap "is being condemned by leading US Republicans and Iranian activists who say it will only encourage more hostage taking." Fox News (Right bias) highlighted voices who "criticized President Biden over the inclusion of the cash as it could help boost the Iranian economy at a time when Iran poses a growing threat to U.S. troops and Mideast allies."
Featured Coverage of this Story
Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP
A prisoner swap between Iran and the United States is expected to take place on Monday, officials said.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani acknowledged during a press conference that the swap would take place Monday without providing additional information, according to The Associated Press. The deal includes releasing five Iranians imprisoned in the US for five Americans imprisoned in Iran, and the freeing of some $6 billion once frozen in South Korea.
Kanaani said the cash, a key element of the planned swap, is now in Qatar, which is serving...
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Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP
Iran and the United States will exchange prisoners on Monday after nearly $6 billion in once-frozen Iranian assets reached Qatar, a key element of the planned swap, officials said.
Despite the deal, tensions are almost certain to remain high between the U.S. and Iran, which are locked in various disputes, including over Tehran’s nuclear program. Iran says the program is peaceful, but it now enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani was the first to acknowledge the swap would take place Monday. He said the cash sought...
REUTERS / FREE THE NAMAZIS / @NEDASHARGHI / X
Five Americans jailed in Iran are expected to fly home as part of a deal mediated by the Gulf state of Qatar.
The four men and one woman, who also hold Iranian passports, will board a plane once it is confirmed that $6bn (£4.8bn) in Iranian funds once held in South Korea have reached banks in Doha.
This is part of a deal reached last month after a year of indirect talks.
Five Iranians imprisoned in US jails, mainly on charges of violating US sanctions, will also be released.
The...
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