A Number of U.S. Senators Request Information on Prisoner Exchange with Iran

Thirteen U.S. senators have sent a letter to members of Donald Trump's administration requesting information regarding seven individuals who were pardoned and released from U.S. prisons following the nuclear agreement between Tehran and six world powers during Barack Obama's presidency. In this letter, addressed to the Secretaries of State, Treasury, and the Attorney General, the three officials are asked to respond to the senators' inquiries either in person or by sending a report. Following the nuclear agreement between Iran, the U.S., and five other powers, Tehran freed four Iranian-American prisoners, while the U.S. released seven prisoners of Iranian nationality from its prisons. Iranian media at the time identified the seven released prisoners as Nader Madanlou, Bahram Mekanik, Khosrow Afghahi, Arash Ghahraman, Touraj Faridi, Nima Golestaneh, and Ali Saboonchi. Some of these individuals faced charges related to assisting in satellite launches or illegally exporting advanced electronic equipment to Iran. The letter from the thirteen U.S. senators also referenced a report in Politico regarding these seven individuals, stating that they are suspected of having serious charges related to aiding Iran's nuclear program. The senators requested information on matters such as the current whereabouts of these individuals, the likelihood of their cooperation with the Iranian government regarding the nuclear program or what has been termed 'proxy terrorist groups,' and how investigations regarding them were conducted during Barack Obama's administration. The thirteen senators expressed concern that the released individuals may still pose a threat to U.S. interests. Since the prisoner exchange between Iran and the U.S., several American lawmakers, particularly from the Republican Party, have voiced criticism or concern regarding the nature of this action and the surrounding events; for instance, regarding the repayment of a suspended arms deal and the profits resulting from its delay to Iran. This specific issue has repeatedly faced reactions from the then-current U.S. administration, which emphatically denied any connection between the payment of money and the release of dual nationals, while accusing Republican representatives of using it as a pretext to 'justify their opposition to the nuclear agreement with Iran.' Concurrently with the senators' letter, several members of the U.S. House of Representatives have also urged the Trump administration to take specific actions for the 'unconditional release' of current Iranian-American prisoners in Iran. In a draft resolution presented by lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties, it has been requested that the Trump administration take actions leading to the release of dual nationals and individuals who have residency permits in the U.S. and 'have been imprisoned in Iran for political reasons.' House members stated that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard has 'taken hostage' Siamak Namazi, Baqer Namazi, Karan Vafadari, and a fourth citizen whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, as well as two others who have permanent residency in the U.S.; Afrin Niasari and Nizar Zakka. Baqer Namazi, aged eighty, and his son Siamak Namazi both hold dual Iranian-American citizenship and have been sentenced to ten years in prison. Karan Vafadari and his wife Afrin Niasari - who does not hold dual citizenship - are also imprisoned. Mr. Zakka, who has permanent residency in the U.S., worked for a non-profit information technology institute in Washington. U.S. lawmakers have also called on Washington's allied countries, which have citizens imprisoned in Iran, to join efforts for the release of their citizens by forming a united front. House members referred to British, French, German, Canadian, and other citizens imprisoned in Iran. They have also requested that the Iranian government 'fulfill its commitments' and provide any information that could lead to finding and returning Robert Levinson to the U.S. Iranian government officials had previously stated that they have no information on the fate and whereabouts of Mr. Levinson - a former FBI agent who disappeared years ago. They have yet to respond to the newly proposed resolution. In this context, the lawyer for the Namazi family has called for pressure from the U.S. on Iran for the release of his clients. Increased efforts for the release of two Iranian-American prisoners. 'The first direct negotiation' of the Trump administration with Iran, on the sidelines of the JCPOA meeting. Iran confirmed the issue of Iranian-American prisoners in recent JCPOA negotiations.