Iran stated on Monday that it hoped that indirect discussions with the United States would result in a “positive” prisoner exchange.
Iran swap prisoners with United States: Iran declared earlier this month that it was in negotiations with the US regarding its nuclear accord and a potential prisoner exchange through the mediation of Oman.
Nasser Kanani, a spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, said on Monday that “we are negotiating for the release of Iranian citizens through parties who play a role in good faith.”
Tehran hopes “to witness such a positive event,” he told reporters, adding that “we have to see if the American government is ready to make a final decision in this regard.”
Iranian authorities are detaining at least three Iranian-Americans, including businessman Siamak Namazi. They detained Namazi in October 2015 and imposed a 10-year prison term on him for espionage.
British-born Morad Tahbaz, a venture capitalist, and venture capitalist Emad Sharqi are the other two individuals. Iranian authorities have sentenced Tahbaz to 10 years in prison for “conspiring with America,” and they have also handed down a 10-year sentence to Sharqi on spying accusations.
Iran released six European citizens in the previous two months, and authorities captured Iranian diplomat Assadollah Assadi. Belgian authorities apprehended Assadi, and they found him guilty of terrorism.
Kanani made his statement in response to news reports that indicated Washington and Tehran were nearing an interim agreement to replace the 2015 Nuclear Agreement. These reports have been refuted by both parties.
“Efforts to Revive Iran Nuclear Deal: Stop-Start Negotiations and Challenges Ahead”
Prior to its breakdown in 2018 as a result of Washington’s unilateral withdrawal, the agreement, also known as the JCPOA, gave Iran much-needed respite from its sanctions in exchange for limitations on its nuclear deal.
The two capitals have recently refuted media suggestions that they were nearing an interim agreement to replace the 2015 pact.
Despite efforts, they have not yet revived the deal.
Stop-start negotiations to revive the nuclear agreement started in April of last year have not yet produced any results.
Following the Iranian Islamic Revolution in 1980, Tehran and Washington severed diplomatic ties.