Doha, Qatar – Five American prisoners and five Iranian prisoners have been released in a rare prisoner swap between the two countries. All of the Americans and two of the Iranians arrived in the Qatari capital, Doha, on Monday.
The former American detainees walked off a plane onto the tarmac at Doha International Airport after arriving from Tehran. They were greeted by both US and Qatari officials.
Two of the five Iranians imprisoned by the US have already arrived in the Gulf state, before they transit on to Iran. The three other released Iranians have decided against returning to Iran, with two staying in the US, and one going on to a third country.
The five freed Iranians have been granted clemency by US President Joe Biden.
Part of the arrival of United States detainees, held by the Islamic Republic of Iran, at Doha International Airport, in implementation of the Qatari-mediated agreement between the two countries.#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/zRI1ayZzxe
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) September 18, 2023
Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi said the release of five American detainees by Tehran was “purely a humanitarian action.”
Biden welcomed the return of the five US citizens and thanked allies for helping secure their release.
“American passport holders should not travel to Iran,” Biden said. “We cannot guarantee their freedom should they be detained.”
The White House has come under criticism from Republicans and some Democrats for striking the prisoner exchange deal with Tehran, saying that it could lead to further detentions.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken lowered expectations that the prisoner swap could lead to a breakthrough in efforts to return to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
“We’re not engaged on that, but we’ll see in the future if there are opportunities,” Blinken told reporters.
Footage of the arrival of United States detainees, held by the Islamic Republic of Iran, at Doha International Airport, in implementation of the Qatari-mediated agreement between the two countries.#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/TLg5ZKHUVD
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) September 18, 2023
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