Thursday, August 18, 2016

"U.S. cash to Iran was dependent on Americans being freed"

Market WatchNew details of the $400 million U.S. payment to Iran earlier this year depict a tightly scripted exchange specifically timed to the release of several American prisoners held in Iran, based on accounts from U.S. officials and others briefed on the operation.

U.S. officials wouldn’t let Iranians take control of the money until a Swiss Air Force plane carrying three freed Americans departed from Tehran on Jan. 17, the officials said. Once that happened, an Iranian cargo plane was allowed to bring the cash back from a Geneva airport that day, according to the accounts.

7 comments:

edutcher said...

Ransom.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Don't forget the Guantanamo five in exchange for a deserter.

Evi L. Bloggerlady said...

It is not ransom, it's just a sum of money or other payment demanded or paid for the release of a prisoner.

Jim in St Louis said...

Lem-
Our enemy does not value life as highly as we do. Of course the Taliban would want a 5 to 1 exchange. If there was a formal POW exchange with a formal military under formal Geneva convention rules then it would have been one for one. But with wild mountain bandits we made a good deal to get that SOB back.

Jim in St Louis said...

I’m wondering after 7 years of Obama which nations do we have am improved relationship with?

The meme in 2008 was that Bush and his go it alone cowboy manner had damaged our world reputation. But Obama with his unique globe hopping childhood would be positioned to improve our standing in the world.
I’m thinking only Cuba and Iran are the nations that have benefited from the Obama years. Are there others that we are closer to? or that we have improved cooperation with?

ndspinelli said...

Lem, Great point. Bowe Bergdahl is something Trump should hit HARD. Work it into the "Bad deal" part of his stump speech.

edutcher said...

People barely remember Bergdahl. It's practically ancient history.

Jim in St Louis said...

I’m wondering after 7 years of Obama which nations do we have am improved relationship with?

I’m thinking only Cuba and Iran are the nations that have benefited from the Obama years. Are there others that we are closer to? or that we have improved cooperation with?


"improved cooperation", do we? Really?

Or are those countries just near and dear to ValJar's heart (if she has one)?

I'm thinking they just know an easy mark when they see one.