After years of detainment in Iran, Americans have finally returned home, thanks to a politically risky deal made by President Biden. As part of the agreement, nearly $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets were released. The prisoners arrived at Fort Belvoir, Virginia to a warm reception, with clapping and cheers filling the predawn hours. Siamak Namazi, the first to step off the plane, took a moment to close his eyes and breathe in the freedom before leaving. Loved ones, some waving small American flags, embraced them tearfully, speaking in both English and Farsi, the main language of Iran. “The nightmare is finally over,” said Babak Namazi, Siamak’s brother, at the airport. “It’s unbelievable.” Later, the former prisoners gathered for a group photograph with their families, shouting in unison: “Freedom!”
The successful negotiations for the Americans’ freedom garnered gratitude from their families, but also brought criticism from Republican presidential rivals and other opponents due to the financial aspects of the deal with Iran. Former President Trump, who is currently the lead Republican challenger, called the deal “absolutely ridiculous” on Truth Social. The Biden administration states that it secured the release of five “innocent” Americans imprisoned in Iran in exchange for five Iranians held in US custody, who pose no threat to US national security. The $5.9 billion in frozen funds that were released to Iran represents money that South Korea owed Iran for oil purchased before the 2019 US sanctions on such transactions.
The US asserts that the money will be held in restricted accounts and can only be used for humanitarian purposes, like medicine and food. Most Iranian government officials agree with this, although some hardliners claim, without evidence, that there will be no restrictions on how Tehran spends the money. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, known for his hardline stance, sees the exchange as “a step in the direction of a humanitarian action between us and America” and believes it “can definitely help in building trust.” However, tensions are expected to remain high between the US and Iran, as they continue to clash over Tehran’s nuclear program and other issues. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful, but it has been enriching uranium to levels closer than ever to weapons-grade. (Read more prisoner swap stories.)
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