Reuters: Obama administration denies Iran cash payment was ransom for prisoners
The Obama administration said on Wednesday that $400 million in cash paid to Iran soon after the release of five Americans detained by Tehran was not ransom for them as some Republicans have charged.
The five, including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, were released on Jan. 16 in exchange for seven Iranians held in the United States for sanctions violations. The prisoner deal coincided with the lifting of international sanctions against Tehran.
At the time, the United States said it had settled a longstanding Iranian claim at the Iran-U.S. Claims Tribunal in The Hague, releasing $400 million in funds frozen since 1981, plus $1.3 billion in interest that was owed to Iran.
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More News On The White House Denying Reports That A Secret Iran Cash Payment Was Ransom For Prisoners
State Dept. Calls Report Linking Payment To Iranian Prisoner Release 'False' -- NPR
White House Says $400M Payment to Iran Was Not a Ransom -- ABC News
$400M Payment to Iran as Americans Freed Not a Ransom: White House -- NBC News
WNU Editor: The reaction to this revelation has been swift .... Trump on reported $400M cash payment to Iran: 'Scandal' (The Hill), and here .... GOP leaders blast Obama over Iran payment (The Hill). The main stream's coverage of this story has been predictable .... ABC Only Offers Seconds on Obama’s Cash to Ayatollahs Scandal (News Busters). What's my take .... if the U.S. did not give the money, would the Iranians have released these Americans anyway? Hmmm .... I think we know the answer to that.
Update: The White House is refusing to give details on this cash payment .... Tense: Obama Administration Refuses To Give Details About Cash Payment To Iran; "Why Is That Relevant?" (RCP).
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