Exclusive: EU Welcomes Change in Status of Iranian-American Prisoners

A European Union official told Voice of America that the EU welcomes the change in status of American prisoners in Iran and their transfer from prison to house arrest. Peter Stano, spokesperson for the EU's foreign policy chief, said on Friday regarding the change in status of Iranian-American prisoners from Evin prison to house arrest: "We welcome the release of four American prisoners who are now under house arrest. We know that a fifth American citizen was previously under house arrest." The spokesperson for Josep Borrell continued: "We hope they will soon be reunited with their families." The U.S. had previously described the change in status of these individuals as "encouraging." John Kirby, senior strategic communications coordinator for the National Security Council, told Voice of America about the potential timing for the return of these individuals: "These individuals are likely to join their families within the next few weeks. However, until they reach home, and this negotiation reaches a complete conclusion, we will be careful with our words." He welcomed the exit of these individuals from Evin prison, which has "unbearable and brutal conditions," saying: "In any case, they are still under house arrest; that is, although they have left prison, they have not left Iran." Adrian Watson, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, stated on Thursday that Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz, Emad Sharqi, and two other Americans who should not have been detained at all, and who prefer to remain anonymous for now, are also under house arrest, and the U.S. is working to bring all of these individuals home. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also "emphasized" that the Islamic Republic will receive no "relief from sanctions" in exchange for the release of the five dual nationals.