U.S. State Dept. Confirms $400 Million Iran Cash Payment Was Contingent On Release of Prisoners

Politico: State Dept. confirms $400 million Iran payment conditioned on hostage release

Republicans are claiming vindication after the State Department confirmed on Thursday that the United States conditioned the release of a $400 million cash payment to Iran on the departure of American prisoners from Tehran.

At a Thursday press briefing, State Department spokesman John Kirby addressed questions about a Wall Street Journal report by explaining that the U.S. held on to the $400 million cash payment until American prisoners were on a plane and safely away from Iran to “retain maximum leverage.” Kirby said the arrangement did not in any way constitute a ransom payment, as President Barack Obama's Republican critics have alleged.

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WNU Editor: The U.S. administration is still digging their hole on this issue .... Money paid to Iran was 'leverage' not ransom, State Department says (Washington Post).

More News On The U.S. State Dept. Confirming That Its $400 Million Iran Cash Payment Was Contingent On Release of American Prisoners

US says $400M to Iran was contingent on release of prisoners -- AP
U.S. says payment to Iran used as leverage for prisoners' release -- Reuters
U.S. Acknowledges Cash Payment to Iran Was ‘Leverage’ in Prisoner Release -- WSJ
State Dept.: $400M to Iran was contingent on US prisoners’ release -- New York Post
State Dept.: $400M cash shipment to Iran tied to U.S. prisoners' release -- USA Today
Obama administration says $400M to Iran was contingent on release of prisoners -- FOX News
US: Iran cash linked to prisoner release -- BBC
State Department: US held up cash until Iran released Americans -- CNN
The Changing U.S. Story on Sending $400 Million to Iran -- David Graham, The Atlantic
Reporter Presses State Dept: You Wouldn't Give Iran $400 Million Until Prisoners Were Released?; State: "Correct" -- Real Clear Politics