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The Release of Five Americans Imprisoned in Iran

Doha and Washington
CNN
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Five Americans who had been imprisoned in Iran have been freed and are on a flight out of the country, a Qatari official briefed on the matter told CNN. This significant development comes as part of a wider deal between Iran and the United States that includes the unfreezing of $6 billion in Iranian funds. The release of these Americans signifies the end of a long and distressing period for those who had been wrongfully detained.

The US government has officially designated all five Americans as being wrongfully detained, further solidifying their innocence in the eyes of the law.

To facilitate their return to the United States, the five Americans are being flown on a Qatari government jet to Doha. The jet departed from an airport in Tehran on Monday afternoon local time, and it also carries two relatives of the detainees and the Qatari ambassador to Tehran. This coordinated effort showcases the commitment of both Qatar and the United States in ensuring the safe repatriation of these individuals.

The Americans who were released, namely Emad Shargi, Morad Tahbaz, Siamak Namazi, and two others whose identities remain undisclosed, had endured years of imprisonment. In fact, Shargi, Tahbaz, and Namazi had been held captive for over five years, with Namazi being detained since 2015. Such prolonged detainment heightened concerns and emphasized the urgency of their release.

This successful resolution marks a significant diplomatic breakthrough resulting from intricate indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran. The Biden administration’s adept negotiation skills and commitment to protecting Americans abroad played a pivotal role in securing these releases. One cannot overlook the previous victories achieved by the administration, including the release of Americans from Russia and Venezuela.

As part of the agreement between the United States and Iran, $6 billion in Iranian funds, previously held in restricted accounts in South Korea, have been transferred to restricted accounts in Qatari banks. Notably, these funds originated from authorized oil sales during the Trump administration. To ensure that the funds are used solely for humanitarian purposes, the US Treasury Department will meticulously monitor each transaction.

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It is worth noting that the agreement, which also includes the release of five Iranians in US custody, has already faced criticism from Republicans. Nevertheless, the successful culmination of this multi-faceted negotiation process stands as a testament to the persistence and dedication of all parties involved.

The path leading to the release of these Americans started to take shape approximately seven months ago in Doha. Years of indirect negotiations and diplomatic efforts gradually led to a breakthrough. About five weeks prior to their release, four of the Americans were transferred into house arrest, with the fifth individual already under house arrest. These symbolic actions set the stage for the final negotiations.

Given the complicated nature of US-Iran relations, the United States had to rely on indirect channels and the assistance of trusted partners in the Middle East and Europe. Countries like Qatar, Oman, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland performed the crucial role of intermediaries during the negotiation process.

Notably, Qatar emerged as the key broker in this ultimate deal. Iranian and US negotiators convened in separate hotels within sight of each other in Doha, while Qatari diplomats tirelessly shuttled between the two sides, facilitating the detailed discussions. The involvement of Qatar played a critical part in bridging the divide and achieving a mutually beneficial outcome.

Throughout the final stages of the negotiation process, US officials maintained the utmost caution, emphasizing the sensitivity of the discussions as they worked towards securing the release of the Americans.

Siamak Namazi, who holds dual Iranian-US citizenship, is one of the released individuals. His father, Baquer Namazi, was previously released in October 2022 to receive medical treatment after enduring over six years of detainment in Iran.

Similarly, Emad Shargi, a businessman, and Morad Tahbaz, an environmentalist, both Iranian-US dual citizens, were arrested in 2018. The release of these individuals brings hope and relief to their families and loved ones.

In March, Siamak Namazi conveyed an emotional plea to President Joe Biden during an unprecedented interview with CNN from inside Evin Prison. He implored the President to prioritize the liberty of innocent Americans and to intensify efforts to secure his release. The Namazi, Shargi, and Tahbaz families had all urgently appealed to the Biden administration to bring their loved ones home.

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