Americans detained in Iran placed on house arrest as part of a prisoner swap that could give Tehran access to $6BILLION in sanctioned assets
Five Americans detained by Iran have been transferred from prison to house arrest, the first step in a potential prisoner swap to bring them home, according to the White House.
People familiar with the terms of a deal said it would involve transferring nearly $6 billion in South Korea’s frozen assets from Iran to an account at Qatar’s central bank.
The deal was quickly condemned by former Vice President Mike Pence.
“While I welcome the release of American hostages, the American people need to know that Biden has authorized the payment of the largest ransom in American history to the mullahs in Tehran,” he said.
Iranian-Americans include businessmen Siamak Namazi, 51, and Emad Shargi, 58, along with environmentalist Morad Tahbaz, 67,
Businessman Emad Shargi (left) and British-born environmentalist Morad Tahbaz are two of the US citizens who have been transferred from prison to house arrest pending a possible deal
The family of Siamak Namazi, 51, said they were thankful he was out of prison but would not rest until he returned home after eight years in captivity.
Jared Genser, a lawyer representing Namazi, said he expected them to be held in a hotel. Namazi has been in prison for eight years.
“Iran’s move of US hostages from Evin Prison to expected house arrest is an important development,” he said.
While I hope this is the first step towards their eventual release, at best this is the beginning of the end and nothing more. But there are simply no guarantees about what will happen from here.’
A spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council confirmed that the five had been moved.
“Although this is an encouraging step, these American citizens should never have been detained,” said Adrienne Watson.
“We will continue to monitor their condition as closely as possible. Of course we won’t rest until they’re all back home in the United States.’
The move is an encouraging sign after months of heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. The US is sending military assets to Persian Gulf, increasing the likelihood of armed forces escorting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The New York Times said sources familiar with the negotiations said the return of the five would lead to the release of several Iranian nationals serving jail terms for violating sanctions.
Billions in frozen assets would also be sent to Qatar’s central bank, where the government of Qatar would only allow the release of cash for humanitarian purposes, such as medicines and food.
A view of the entrance to Evin Prison in Tehran, Iran, where the Americans were held
A prisoner walks in the courtyard of Evin Prison. Namazi was held here for eight years
But the prospect immediately raised concerns that it would boost the detention of Americans abroad.
“This will only make states like Russia and Iran kidnap more Americans in the future,” Republican donor Dan Eberhart said on social media platform X.
“We saw it when Russia kidnapped a journalist after we traded a basketball star for their ‘merchant of death’.”
Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner was traded for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout last year. Three months later, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was arrested on espionage charges.
Pence, who is running for the 2024 nomination, said Iran would use money to further its goals in the Middle East and beyond.
Republicans condemned the Biden administration for paying ransoms for Americans
Iran will now use this money to produce drones for Russia and fund terrorism against us and Israel. China and Russia, who are also holding Americans hostage, now know that the price has just gone up,” he said.
“Any rogue state that takes innocent Americans hostage during my administration will face American force; they’ve been warned we won’t pay a ransom.’
But the move brings relief to the inmates’ families.
“We are thankful that Siamak and the other Americans in Iran are out of Evin Prison and under house arrest,” said Babak Namazi, Siamak’s brother.
“While this is a positive change, we will not rest until Siamak and others are back home; we keep counting the days until this can happen.
“We have suffered immensely and indescribably for eight horrific years and just want to be reunited as a family.”
Namazi was detained and convicted in 2015 of collaborating with a foreign government.