Details of the Prisoner Exchange According to the Islamic Republic's State Media; 'First Confirm the Deposit of Funds' Then the Release of Hostages

A state media outlet in the Islamic Republic has claimed that after the 'deposit of financial resources' in two Qatari banks and receiving a letter from the Central Bank of Qatar, the operation and process of exchanging American citizens held hostage by Tehran will begin. The state news agency 'ISNA' reported today, Sunday, September 17: 'According to the agreements made, simultaneously with the confirmation of the deposit of released Iranian financial resources into accounts belonging to Iranian banks in Qatar, the prisoner exchange process between Iran and the United States will take place.' The report cites internal and external sources, stating: 'In the first step of this agreement, Iran will release five Iranian-Americans from prison and keep them under house arrest, while the U.S. will also begin the process of transferring Iranian financial resources.' Over the past four decades, the Islamic Republic has detained many dual nationals and citizens of other countries under various pretexts. In some cases, dual nationals have been kidnapped outside Iran and brought back into the country. The Islamic Republic has repeatedly demanded money or the release of certain government-affiliated criminals imprisoned in the West in exchange for the freedom of these dual citizens. Additionally, the U.S. State Department confirmed on Tuesday, September 11, the release of five Iranians accused or convicted in the U.S. as part of a prisoner exchange program with Tehran. The U.S. and the Islamic Republic had previously confirmed on August 12 that under this agreement, five American citizens, whom Washington claims have been wrongfully detained by the Islamic Republic, will also be released. The ISNA news agency, citing 'received information,' claimed that 'after Washington agreed to the conditions of the Islamic Republic' and after confirming the transfer of Tehran's financial resources to Qatar by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 'the prisoner exchange process will begin,' with the exchange taking place in 'Doha, the capital of Qatar.' Meanwhile, Reuters had previously reported on a 'document' indicating that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a 'sanctions waiver' as part of the prisoner exchange agreement between the United States and the Islamic Republic for the transfer of Iran's frozen funds from South Korea to Qatar. This waiver allows international banks to transfer the specified funds from South Korea to Qatar without fear of U.S. sanctions. This money is intended for 'purchasing humanitarian goods' by Iran. However, the state-affiliated media outlet has claimed that 'according to the agreements made,' six bank accounts for six Iranian banks that 'had access to SWIFT' have been opened, and 'deposits will be made in these accounts.' According to this narrative, after the deposit of Tehran's financial resources into these accounts in 'two Qatari banks,' the Central Bank of Qatar will inform the Islamic Republic that these resources are 'available for use,' and after a 'written response,' other actions of the agreement will take place. Critics of the Biden administration's policy towards Iran have told 'Voice of America' that the agreement for the release of five Iranians will have 'negative consequences' for the United States. Andrea Stricker, from the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies, believes: 'The Islamic Republic will view this as a significant victory for its long-standing policy of taking Western hostages in exchange for ransom and the release of Iranian citizens.' She added: 'Instead of facing penalties or consequences from the U.S., the Iranian regime will be emboldened to continue kidnapping innocent people.' However, the Biden administration has rejected critics' characterization of the unblocking of six billion dollars of Iranian funds in South Korean banks as 'ransom to Tehran.' According to Washington, Tehran will regain access to its financial resources that were blocked under U.S. sanctions and can only use them through a third party for humanitarian purchases under U.S. supervision. In mid-August of this year, official Iranian media reported the transfer of five detained dual nationals to a hotel in Tehran for their continued detention and the initiation of the 'exchange' process. Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharqi, and Morad Tahbaz are the identities of three of these five American hostages, although the identities of the fourth and fifth individuals have not yet been disclosed. At that time, the White House announced that the number of 'Iranian-American prisoners' in the custody of the Islamic Republic who had been transferred to a hotel was 'five' and welcomed this action. In the meantime, Voice of America identified '11 Iranians' currently detained in the United States or facing federal charges who may be on Iran's list for prisoner exchange. Their identities have been established by reviewing documents from the Department of Justice and the judiciary and contacting American officials. The Iranian mission to the United Nations in New York confirmed in a message to Voice of America the names of five Iranians it expects to be released under this agreement. These names were first published by the news site 'Al-Monitor.' Kaveh Lotfollah Afrasiabi, Mehrdad Ansari, Amin Hassanzadeh, Reza Sarhangpour Kafri, and Kambez Attar Kashani are the Iranians whose names have been confirmed by Iran. They are part of a group of 11 individuals first introduced in Voice of America's report on August 24 as potential candidates for prisoner exchange between the two countries. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said on August 24 in response to 'Voice of America': 'This is an ongoing and sensitive process. Therefore, we are not currently in a position to discuss further details.' Given the published news, it seems that the implementation of the agreement for the exchange of prisoners between Iran and the United States is 'imminent.'