Sources familiar with the negotiations, including eight Iranians, reveal that up to five detained U.S. dual nationals will depart Iran, while a similar number of Iranian prisoners held in the U.S. will return home, after the transfer of $6 billion in unfrozen Iranian funds to Qatari banks as early as next week.
The initial step occurred on August 10 when Iran released four U.S. citizens from Tehran’s Evin prison and placed them under house arrest, joining a fifth individual who was already under house arrest. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken referred to this move as the first phase in a process leading to their eventual return.
Among those released are businessmen Siamak Namazi (51) and Emad Sharqi (59), as well as environmentalist Morad Tahbaz (67), who also holds British nationality. The identities of the fourth and fifth Americans have not been disclosed.
Iran expressed optimism on Monday regarding the impending prisoner exchange with the United States.
At the heart of these negotiations between Iran, often referred to as the “Great Satan,” and the U.S., which labels Iran a state sponsor of terrorism, is the wealthy state of Qatar, despite its small size.
Doha played a pivotal role in hosting at least eight rounds of talks involving Iranian and U.S. negotiators who convened in separate hotels and communicated via shuttle diplomacy. The earlier sessions primarily addressed the complex nuclear issue, while the later ones focused on the prisoner releases.
Doha will implement a financial arrangement in which it handles banking fees and monitors how Iran utilizes the unfrozen funds to ensure compliance with U.S. sanctions. The prisoners will transit through Qatar during the exchange.
The senior diplomat remarked, “Iran initially wanted direct access to the funds but in the end agreed to having access via Qatar. Iran will purchase food and medicine, and Qatar will pay directly.”
The U.S. administration has not commented on the timing of the funds transfer, but South Korean foreign minister Park Jin mentioned on September 5 that efforts were underway to facilitate the transfer of Iran’s funds.
“The U.S.-Iran relationship is not one characterized by trust. We judge Iran by its actions, nothing else,” emphasized the State Department spokesperson.
Washington approved the movement of Iranian funds from South Korea to restricted accounts held by financial institutions in Qatar, with no direct payment to Iran. Once the money reaches Qatar from South Korea via Switzerland, Qatari officials will instruct Tehran and Washington to proceed with the prisoner releases, based on a document signed by both sides and Qatar in late July or early August.
If all proceeds as planned, the transfer to Qatari banks is anticipated to conclude as early as next week.
