Five Iranian citizens who were prisoners in the United States were exchanged for five American citizens who were prisoners in Iran. There is one key difference between the exchanges. The United States “released” $6 billion dollars to the Islamic Republic of Iran. This money was held up in a South Korean bank, then wired to Switzerland, then Qatar. The money may have been delivered to Iran just like the $400 billion the Obama regime gave to Iran due to the Iran Nuclear Deal.
The cash-only delivery is due to the sanctions on Iran. These sanctions are the same reason why the $6 billion had to be released to Iran in the first place. This money was rightfully earned by Iran, mostly through oil revenue. The money was caught up in the International Monetary System (banking) due to sanctions.
National Security Comms Director John Kirby says that sanctions are still on Iran. This, however, flies in the face of what is obvious. There is an obvious loophole to the sanctions. Imprison Americans, negotiate for their release and demand temporary sanctions relief as part of the deal. This appears to be right out of the Britney Griner/Viktor Bout playbook.
SOURCES:
Iran-US prisoner swap: How Democrats and Republicans reacted to the deal | News | Al Jazeera
Five Americans detained in Iran walk free, released in deal for frozen Iranian assets | AP News
US-bound plane leaves Doha with five Americans freed by Iran | Reuters
U.S. and Iran trade prisoners, signaling partial thaw in relations – The Washington Post
Who is being freed in the Iran prisoner swap? – BBC News
White House touts Iran prisoner exchange deal, says Biden is ‘Making five families whole again’ | Fox News
US releases $6bn in frozen Iran funds for prisoner swap – BBC News
Americans expected to be released in Iran prisoner swap – YouTube
US sent plane with $400 million in cash to Iran | CNN Politics
