WASHINGTON: The United States confirmed Monday it had signed off on thetransfer of $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds from South Korea, paving theway for five US citizens to leave Tehran.
The arch enemies announced last month, after protracted negotiations, adeal in which the US citizens were freed from prison and put under housearrest, with the expectation they will fly out of Iran once the funds aremoved to an account in Qatar.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken notified Congress that he had gone aheadon a key part of the agreement, signing a waiver that will shield banksinvolved in the transfer from US sanctions.
The money transfer is “a critical step in securing the release of thesefive US citizens,” a State Department spokesperson said.
President Joe Biden’s administration has insisted that Iran will only beallowed to use the money to buy food, medicine and other humanitariangoods, a point contested by Iran’s clerical state, a nemesis of Washingtonsince the 1979 Islamic Revolution overthrew the pro-Western shah.
“We have not lifted any of our sanctions on Iran, and Iran is not receivingany sanctions relief,” the State Department spokesperson said on customarycondition of anonymity.
In Tehran, foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani insisted that the moneywill allow the Islamic republic to “purchase all non-sanctioned goods”which are not limited to food and medicine.
“We hope that this transfer will be completed in the coming days and thatIran will have full access to its assets,” Kanani said.
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Kanani voiced optimism that the prisoner exchange “will take place soon.”
The official IRNA news agency had reported that five Iranians will also bereleased from the United States.
The five Americans had been held for as long as nearly eight years. All areof Iranian descent, with Tehran not recognizing dual nationality.
Sources earlier said to expect the five Americans to leave in mid-September.
Iran had generated the $6 billion in question by selling its oil to SouthKorea, a close US ally, which froze the funds after the United States underformer president Donald Trump reimposed sanctions as he withdrew from anuclear accord.
“As we have said, no money is going to Iran directly and no taxpayer fundsare being used. The funds held in South Korea are Iran’s funds,” the StateDepartment spokesperson said. -APP/AFP
