(Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP).
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On Tuesday, just hours before his State of the Union address, Iran apprehended 10 U.S. Navy sailors who had strayed into Iranian waters.
Shortly after the exchange was announced, Rubio said that while he was happy the Americans were coming home, the release would only encourage US enemies to take more hostages overseas. As well, a fifth…
He had travelled to the country to take part in an intensive language course.
Under the front-page headline “Nuclear Burial”, Hard-line daily Vatan-e-Emrooz on Saturday criticized the removal of the core of Iran’s only heavy water reactor, which was filled in with cement earlier this week as one of the final steps under the agreement.
The release came just before the implementation of the Iran nuclear deal, which came after the International Atomic Energy Agency verified Tehran had dismantled much of its nuclear program, thus paving the way for the lifting of international economic sanctions. Six of them have…
His sister, Sarah, has said her brother renounces his dual Iranian citizenship and vows never to return to Iran if he’s allowed to leave.
In a further sign of the thaw between Iran and the U.S., a plane carrying three Americans released by Tehran landed in Geneva.
According to the Washington Post, Salehi, who is also a journalist, and the photojournalist were released on bail months later.
The exchange eases a leading irritant as the two countries gingerly explore prospects for a smoother relationship after decades of hostility – even as they remain sharply at odds on other fronts. USA student Matthew Trevithick was released independently of the exchange on Saturday and already was on his way home.
Three were serving prison terms and now have received a commutation or pardon. The last one made a plea agreement.
The United States also agreed to drop charges against 14 other Iranians whose extradition to the United States seemed unlikely, a US official said on background.
In Vienna, Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters that discussions to free the Americans had “accelerated in light of the relationships forged and the diplomatic channels unlocked over the course of the nuclear talks”. Iranian state TV later reported it was Siamak Namazi, the son of a politician from the era of the shah, while the official IRNA news agency said it was Nosratollah Khosravi.
“When you’re dealing with Iran you have to be careful because tigers don’t change their stripes overnight”, Leighton said.
Mr Kerry also linked the trust built between Iran and the United States over the past two years of talks to the release by Iran on Saturday of four Americans who also hold Iranian nationality.
Fourteen other Iranians wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation would no longer be sought for prosecution by Interpol, a United States official said.
“We’ve diminished the possibility of war between the USA and Iran”, said former Air Force Intelligence Officer Cedric Leighton.
Obama said the released Iranians weren’t charged with terrorism.
Ryan said the Post was “relieved that this 545-day nightmare for Jason and his family is finally over”.
The statement by the Post said the paper was “enormously grateful to all who played a role” in securing Rezaian’s release, thanking those “around the world who have spoken out on Jason’s behalf and against the harsh confinement that was so wrongly imposed upon him”. “There are still many unknowns. But we remain in hopeful anticipation until Amir is in our arms”.
It said he was held for 40 days in Evin Prison but gave no reason for his detention. After his arrest, his family says they were told to keep matter quiet.
Bahram Mechanich and Tooraj Faridi, both of Houston, and Khosrow Afghahi, of Los Angeles, were released, along with four other Iranians held in other parts of the U.S., Mechanich’s attorney Joel Androphy said. Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders praised diplomacy as the key to solving the detainee issue. Iranian officials have denied knowing his whereabouts. His arrest was criticized by the White House and US media.
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Dareini reported from Tehran, Iran; Lee reported from Washington.
