Five American citizens who have been imprisoned in Iran are set to return home as part of a mediated deal with the assistance of Qatar, as reported by the BBC. The four men and one woman, all of whom also hold Iranian passports, are scheduled to board a flight once it is confirmed that $6bn in Iranian funds, previously held in South Korea, have been successfully transferred to banks in Doha, Qatar. This agreement comes after a year of indirect negotiations between the involved parties.
In exchange for the release of the American detainees, five Iranians who have been incarcerated in U.S. prisons, primarily on charges related to violating U.S. sanctions, will also be freed. The American detainees have been held in Iran's notorious Evin prison, and they have received numerous assurances of their impending release in the past. Now, it appears that their freedom will be realized on Monday morning.
Among those expected to return home are individuals like 51-year-old Siamak Namazi, 59-year-old businessman Emad Shargi, and 67-year-old environmentalist Morad Tahbaz, who also holds British citizenship. Their detention has been a subject of concern and diplomatic efforts for some time.
President Joe Biden has faced pressure to secure the release of these Americans, who have been widely regarded as hostages used by Iran in diplomatic negotiations. For Iran, the agreement results in the release of funds earned from oil sales to South Korea. However, it's important to note that the funds, which have been deposited in Qatar's banks, can only be accessed by third parties to purchase essential goods such as food and medicine.
Earlier Daryo reported that the White House was conducting discreet talks with Tehran to lower the chances of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons and to secure the freedom of Americans detained in Iranian jails.
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