US-bound plane leaves Doha with five Americans freed by Iran

US, Iran swap prisoners in deal involving $6 billion transfer

September 18, 2023 1:24 PM EDT


DOHA/NEW YORK, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Five U.S. citizens left Iran and landed in Doha on Monday in a prisoner swap for five Iranians held in the United States and the transfer of $6 billion in Iranian funds, marking a rare moment of cooperation between the long-time antagonists. "Today, five innocent Americans who were imprisoned in Iran are finally coming home," U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement shortly before the U.S. detainees descended the stairs of a Qatari jet to be embraced by U.S. diplomats.

Separately, Iran's Press TV said the five Iranians held by the United States and charged with committing crimes had been freed, an apparent reference to their being granted clemency. Two arrived in Doha, U.S. and Iranian officials said. "This was purely a humanitarian action," Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said after arriving in New York for the annual U.N. General Assembly. "It can certainly be a step based upon which in the future other humanitarian actions can be taken."

It was unclear whether the exchange might bring progress on the many issues that divide the two nations, including Iran's nuclear program, its support for regional Shi'ite militias, the presence of U.S. troops in the Gulf and U.S. sanctions on Iran. Relations between the United States and Iran, adversaries for more than 40 years, have been especially bitter since former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018 reneged on a deal to curb Iran's nuclear program and reimposed U.S. sanctions.

Washington suspects the program may aim to develop nuclear weapons - an ambition Tehran denies - that could threaten Israel or U.S. Gulf Arab allies. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken left the door open to diplomacy on the nuclear file, which he described as "perhaps the number one issue of concern," but suggested nothing was imminent. "In this moment, we're not engaged on that, but we'll see in the future if there are opportunities," he told reporters in New York.

Five US citizens land in Qatar as part of US-Iran prisoner swap

September 18, 2023 12:09 PM EDT


DOHA, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Five U.S. citizens left Iran and landed in Doha on Monday in a prisoner swap for five Iranians held in the United States and the transfer of $6 billion in Iranian funds in a rare moment of cooperation between the long-time antagonists.

"Today, five innocent Americans who were imprisoned in Iran are finally coming home," U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement, shortly before the U.S. detainees descended the stairs of a Qatari jet to be embraced by U.S. diplomats.

Separately, Iran's Press TV said the five Iranians detained by the United States and charged with committing crimes had been freed, an apparent reference to their being granted clemency. Two arrived in Doha, U.S. and Iranian officials said. It was unclear whether the exchange might bring progress on the many issues that divide the two nations, including Iran's nuclear program, its support for regional Shi'ite militias, the presence of U.S. troops in the Gulf and U.S. sanctions on Iran.

In a sign Biden, a Democrat, wishes to keep a tough front toward Iran and perhaps blunt Republican criticism, he announced U.S. sanctions on Iran's former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and its intelligence ministry "for their involvement in wrongful detentions." "We will continue to impose costs on Iran for their provocative actions in the region," he said in the statement, in which he thanked the governments of Qatar, Oman, Switzerland and South Korea for their assistance in securing the releases.

September 18, 2023 11:08 AM EDT


DOHA, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Five U.S. citizens left Iran and landed in Doha on Monday in a prisoner swap for five Iranians held in the United States and the transfer of $6 billion in Iranian funds in a rare deal between the long-time antagonists. "Today, five innocent Americans who were imprisoned in Iran are finally coming home," U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement, adding they "will soon be reunited with their loved ones--after enduring years of agony, uncertainty, and suffering."

It was unclear whether the exchange might bring progress on the many issues that divide the two nations, including Iran's nuclear program, its support for regional Shi'ite militias, the presence of U.S. troops in the Gulf and U.S. sanctions on Iran. A plane sent by mediator Qatar flew the five U.S. citizens and two of their relatives out of Tehran after both sides got confirmation the funds had been transferred to accounts in Doha, a source briefed on the matter told Reuters.

A Reuters witness saw the plane land at Doha International Airport. U.S. officials received the five Americans after they disembarked from the Qatari plane at Doha, the Reuters witness said. Switzerland's ambassador to Iran accompanied them on the plane to Doha, the witness added.

Earlier, two of the five Iranians landed in Qatar, a U.S. official said. Three have opted not to return to Iran. The five Iranian Americans - one of whom had been held for about eight years on charges the United States had rejected as baseless - were due to board a U.S. government aircraft in Doha and then fly home to the United States.

US prisoners fly out of Iran in swap deal after $6 billion unfrozen

September 18, 2023 8:56 AM EDT


DOHA, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Five U.S. detainees flew out of Iran on Monday in a swap for five Iranians held in the U.S. under a rare deal brokered by Qatar between the arch enemies that also unfroze $6 billion of Tehran's funds. A Qatari plane took off from Tehran carrying the five with two of their relatives, shortly after the U.S. and Iran received confirmation that the funds had been transferred to accounts in Doha, a source briefed on the matter told Reuters.

Iran's Press TV said two of the five Iranians to be released in the exchange had landed in Doha. There was no independent confirmation, though Iranian officials had said three of those to be freed by the U.S. were not returning to Iran.

The funds' release triggered an exchange sequence agreed after months of talks between the United States and Iran, who are at odds over Tehran's nuclear ambitions and other issues. The five Americans with dual nationality are due to fly to Doha and then on to the U.S. "They are in good health," an Iranian official briefed on the process said.

Iran's Foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said two of the Iranians being released would return to Iran while two would stay in the U.S. at their request. One detainee would join his family in a third country, he added. Kanaani said the funds, blocked in South Korea after U.S. sanctions on Iran were hardened in 2018, would be available to Tehran on Monday. Under the deal, Qatar will ensure the cash is spent on humanitarian goods and not items under U.S. sanctions.

U.S. detainees to fly out of Iran in swap deal after $6 billion unfrozen

September 18, 2023 7:43 AM EDT


DOHA, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Five U.S. detainees were being taken to a Qatari aircraft to fly out of Iran on Monday in a swap for five Iranians detained in the U.S. thanks to a Doha-brokered deal between the arch foes that also unfroze $6 billion of Tehran's funds. The Qatari plane was on standby after the U.S. and Iran were told, according to a source briefed on the matter, that the funds had been transferred to accounts in Qatar. "U.S. detainees are being transported to the Qatari jet," the source said.

The funds' release triggered an exchange sequence agreed after months of talks between the United States and Iran, who are at odds over Tehran's nuclear ambitions and other issues. The five Americans with dual nationality are due to fly to Doha and then on to the U.S. Two relatives are also expected to be on the flight. "They are in good health," an Iranian official briefed on the process said about the detainees.

In return, five Iranians detained in the U.S. will be released. The Iranian Foreign ministry spokesperson said two Iranians would return to Iran while two would stay in the U.S. at their request. One detainee would join his family in a third country, he added.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said the funds, blocked in South Korea after U.S. sanctions on Iran were hardened in 2018, would be available to Tehran on Monday. Under the deal, Qatar will ensure it is spent on humanitarian goods. There was no immediate public U.S. comment.