Tom Cotton: We should not pay ransom to the Islamic Republic; John Kirby: It's a humanitarian action

Republican Senator Tom Cotton stated in a statement: "While we always welcome the freedom of hostages, if dual nationals are released after paying $6 billion in ransom to the Islamic Republic, this appeasement will lead the Ayatollahs to take more hostages." Senator Tom Cotton from Arkansas added: "The forces of the Islamic Republic finance terrorism and arm Russia. This cycle of exploitation will continue until Joe Biden responds decisively to their aggressions." However, Qatar's Al Jazeera news network reported that John Kirby, the National Security Council's Strategic Communications Coordinator at the White House, announced that "the released funds from Iran will be held in an account in Qatar and will only be used for humanitarian purchases by Iran." On Thursday, news emerged that the Islamic Republic agreed to release five Iranian-American hostages in exchange for receiving $6 billion from Iran's frozen assets in South Korea. Shortly after, several media outlets reported that this amount would be deposited into an account in Qatar with the agreement of the U.S., and the Islamic Republic would not have the right to use it except for humanitarian purchases, and that too under the supervision of Qatar. Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the National Security Council, 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 not have been detained at all, prefer to remain anonymous for now. Adrienne 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 conditions in house arrest or the Biden administration's efforts to ensure their freedom, while mentioning the ongoing "delicate and sensitive" negotiations for the final release of these American citizens.