Gahreman, a U.S.-Iranian dual citizen, was charged in August 2015 for attempting to provide Iran with illegal navigation equipment and radar technology for military defense systems. “The fact of the matter is that this tells us everything we need to know about the Iranian regime – that they take people hostage in order to gain concessions”.
Advertisement
The Post statement thanked those “around the world who have spoken out on Jason’s behalf and against the harsh confinement that was so wrongly imposed upon him”.
So says a senior Obama administration official.
Levinson’s case was aggressively pursued, officials said, adding that Iran has committed to continue cooperating in trying to determine Levinson’s whereabouts. “We don’t make that judgment”.
A fifth American, student Matthew Trevithnick, who was also freed on Saturday is also understood to have left the country.
But early Sunday morning in Tehran, the plane scheduled to take them out of the country had not taken off for unexplained reasons, Washington Post reported. But the fact of the matter is this was our opportunity to bring them home, ‘ the official told reporters on a conference call. “We are relieved that this 545-day nightmare for Jason and his family is finally over”. USA and Iranian officials are calling this a major diplomatic breakthrough, and say a landmark nuclear deal appears imminent.
Abedini’s wife Naghmeh tweeted: “Saeed just landed in Geneva”. In the meantime, she spoke on the phone with President Barack Obama.
There are many details to be worked out before Saeed and the others will again be on USA soil but Sekulow assures viewers that although they can release specifics at this time because of security concerns, he is in a “safe place”.
In addition to the seven criminals, 14 other Iranians wanted here and in Europe for sanctions violations will no longer be pursued. It ranged from exporting electronic components, satellite services, marine navigation and military equipment to Iran.
According to the official Iranian news service, IRNA, the seven freed Iranians are Nader Modanloo, Bahram Mechanic, Khosrow Afghahi, Arash Ghahraman, Tooraj Faridi, Nima Golestaneh and Ali Saboonchi. “Today is also a good day for the world”.
Six of the Iranians who were in United States custody had been accused or convicted of violating economic sanctions.
The deal comes after more than a year of secret negotiations, the officials said. “We shouldn’t be involved in swaps”, he said, according to TIME.
Two congressmen were headed to Germany on Sunday to greet Rezaian and Hekmati.
But Rubio, speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, said the deal traded American “hostages” for Iranian “prisoners who did commit a crime”. Another said “it’s his free determination where he wants to go”. I am overcome with emotion that after four and a half years, this bad ordeal is ending and the Hekmati family will soon be reunited with Amir. There is hope “that having Amir back gives him some strength”. Executives from 25 news organisations urged Secretary of State John Kerry to push Tehran for Rezaian’s release in a letter this month. But the fates of three other Americans, including former Federal Bureau of Investigation agent Robert Levinson, were unknown. The Iranians have always denied knowing his location.
Advertisement
“All the parties are happy with the exception of the Zionists and the warmongers”, he said.
