United States and Iran are expected to complete a prisoner swap deal on Monday, September 18, 2023. The deal would involve the release of five Americans who have been detained in Iran and five Iranians who are in US custody.
The article also states that the deal includes the unfreezing of $6 billion in Iranian funds that have been held in South Korea since 2018. The identities of the five Americans who are being released have not been made public, but they are believed to include Siamak Namazi, Emad Shargi, and Morad Tahbaz. All three men have been imprisoned in Iran for more than five years.
The prisoner swap deal is a significant diplomatic breakthrough after years of complicated indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran. It is seen as a sign that the two countries may be able to improve their relations despite their deep differences.
The article also notes that the deal is controversial, with some critics arguing that it rewards Iran for its bad behavior. However, the Biden administration has defended the deal, saying that it is in the best interests of the United States to secure the release of its citizens.
The prisoner swap deal is a positive development for the United States and Iran. It is a sign that the two countries are willing to engage in diplomacy, even if they have deep differences. The deal will also bring relief to the families of the prisoners who are being released.