US signs off on transfer of funds to Iran in prisoner deal

WASHINGTON: Following the US’s Monday announcement that it has authorized the transfer of $6 billion in blocked Iranian cash from South Korea, five US nationals were permitted to depart Tehran.

In a deal agreed last month following extensive discussions, the US citizens were released from jail and put under house arrest with the understanding that they would leave Iran once the money was transferred to a Qatari account.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken informed Congress of his decision after signing the waiver exempting the entities involved in the transfer from US sanctions.

A crucial element in securing the release of these five US citizens was the money payment.

The religious dictatorship in Iran has disputed the claim made by President Joe Biden’s administration that Iran will only be permitted to spend the money for food, medicine, and other humanitarian requirements. Iran has been a foe of Washington since the 1979 Islamic Revolution ousted the pro-Western shah.

A State Department spokeswoman said on condition of anonymity that “we have not lifted any of our sanctions against Iran, and Iran is not receiving any sanctions relief.”

The money would enable the Islamic Republic to “purchase all non-sanctioned goods,” including but not limited to food and medical supplies, stressed Nasser Kanani, a spokesman for the foreign ministry in Tehran.

We anticipate finishing this move within the next several days, adds Kanani.

The prisoner exchange “will happen soon,” according to Kanani.

Five Iranians who are being held by the United States will also be released, according to the official IRNA news agency.

Over eight years were spent imprisoning the five Americans. Tehran forbids multiple nationality even if everyone is of Iranian heritage.