US grants waiver for transfer of $6B in Iranian funds to facilitate prisoner swap

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - The Biden administration has granted a waiver to release $6 billion in frozen Iranian oil funds in exchange for the release of five American detainees, according to reports published Monday.

NBC News reported that Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently issued a waiver enabling international banks to transfer funds from South Korea to Qatar.

The funds are earmarked for Iran's purchase of essential humanitarian items, including food and medicine, permitted under US economic sanctions.

Congress was notified of the move on Monday, according to The Washington Post.

The five Iranian-Americans include Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz, Emad Shargi and two unnamed individuals. The Biden administration has also committed to release five Iranian nationals currently detained in the US.

The prisoners' release could take place as early as next week.

Monday's announcement came under harsh criticism from Republicans.

"First Joe Biden used 9/11 as an excuse to flee Afghanistan. Now he desecrates this day by paying ransom to the world’s worst state sponsor of terrorism. Shameful," Republican Senator Tom Cotton said in a statement.

Another Republican senator, Mitt Romney, believes the move will pave the way for more kidnappings.

"If we’re paying a billion dollars per kidnapped individual, then you’re going to see more kidnappings," said Romney. "That’s why you don’t negotiate with terrorists, that’s why you don’t negotiate with kidnappers."

Romney described the "idea of paying to release" a hostage as "terrible."

Representative Michael McCaul, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed deep concern over the waiver decision.

He said the move "creates a direct incentive for America's adversaries to conduct future hostage-taking."

Former President Donald Trump used his social media platform to criticize the Biden administration's decision.

He highlighted the timing of the announcement, which coincided with the 22nd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that took the lives of nearly 3,000 people.

"Can you believe that Crooked Joe Biden is giving $6 Billion to the terrorist regime in Iran? That money (will) be used for terrorism all over the Middle East, and, indeed, the World. This incompetent FOOL is absolutely destroying America. He had the audacity to announce this terrible deal today, September 11th. To pay for hostages will lead to kidnapping, ransom, and blackmail against Americans across the globe. I freed many dozens of our people from various unfriendly countries and never paid a dime!" Trump wrote.