CNN: The Framework for 'Dual National Prisoner Exchange' is Separate from 'Nuclear Agreement Negotiations'

CNN reported, citing an informed source about the agreement between the Islamic Republic and the United States regarding the release of prisoners, that this 'hostage exchange agreement' is separate from the negotiations over Iran's nuclear program. Senior CNN reporter Christiane Amanpour emphasized in a news report on Thursday that discussions regarding the release of American prisoners are distinct from negotiations concerning the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, but the final release of Americans 'might help facilitate negotiations in other areas as well.' Amanpour also explained that the $6 billion in question belongs to Iran and is actually 'a previous debt of South Korea to Iran' and is not American money. She quoted the informed source stating that Joe Biden has focused on the issue of hostage release since his first day in office. She added: 'I think Joe Biden's record shows his intense focus on bringing Americans home; of course under conditions that we believe are in our interest. We believe that what has been arranged is in our interest.' Earlier, Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, expressed satisfaction with the Iranian authorities' decision to 'transfer five American citizens from Evin Prison to house arrest.' He mentioned the names Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz, and Emad Sharqi, noting that two other American citizens prefer to remain anonymous for now. The State Department spokesperson stated: 'The Biden administration is in contact with the families of these citizens and we are closely monitoring their health and well-being.' Miller added: 'While we welcome the news regarding the transfer of these individuals from prison to house arrest, they should never have been imprisoned in the first place.' Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the National Security Council at the White House, also described the transfer of 'five Iranian-American prisoners' from Evin Prison to house arrest as 'a hopeful step.' She mentioned the names Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz, and Emad Sharqi, stating that two other Americans, who should never have been detained, prefer to remain anonymous for now. Watson emphasized that the Biden administration continues to closely monitor their conditions and 'we will not rest until all of them return to the United States.' The spokesperson for the National Security Council refrained from providing details about their status in house arrest or the Biden administration's efforts to ensure their release while referring to the continuation of 'delicate and sensitive' negotiations for the final release of these American citizens.