The Biden administration has cleared the way to free five American citizens detained in Iran.
And release five Iranian citizens being held prisoner in the United States.
International banks had frozen $6 billion in Iranian oil profits, which will be released following a blanket waiver from the administration, before the prisoner swap. The agreement is part of a broader diplomatic effort between the White House and the Islamic Republic.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed off on the secretive deal last week.
Still, Congress wasn't notified until Sept. 11, the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.
Newsmax reports:
The waiver is likely to draw criticism of President Joe Biden from Republicans and others that the deal will boost the Iranian economy at a time when Iran poses a growing threat to U.S. troops and Mideast allies.
The waiver means that European, Middle Eastern and Asian banks will not run afoul of U.S. sanctions in converting the money frozen in South Korea and transferring it to Qatar's central bank, where it will be held for Iran to use for the purchase of humanitarian goods.
The transfer of the $6 billion was the critical element in the prisoner release deal, which saw four of the five American detainees transferred from Iranian jails into house arrest last month. The fifth detainee had already been under house arrest.
Due to numerous U.S. sanctions on foreign banks that engage in transactions aimed at benefitting Iran, several European countries had balked at participating in the transfer. Blinken's waiver is aimed at easing their concerns about any risk of U.S. sanctions.
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at $1.2B per, I wonder what Iran would do next?
the purchase of “humanitarian goods”.has to be the joke of the century. money to spread more terror in the area.
This is certain to come back and bite us in the behind.
Biden is a traitor and must be prosecuted.
He needs to spend the rest of his evil days rotting away in GITMO.
OK, everyone, let’s take a step back and see what is really before us. This “gang” have been doing this for a while now. And, they were not very good at how to hide, at first, but that probably didn’t matter to them back then. Now that the truth has come out, well that is another matter. Problem is, everyone is involved at some level. That is what Trump wanted to show everyone….. but he can’t do it, because everyone is in it. Billions of bucks have been taken from the American tax payers to fund (who knows what), but know one cared. And why, because a kick back was always coming. I’m not sure what to call it. There may not be a real word for it. I would start with “extortion”, but the whole thing is bigger than that scheme. Everyone better get ready for the cover up of the millenia. And, guess what….. they will get away with it. And there is nothing we can do about it.
I’m almost in tears, just thinking about how bad it is. Look, we are all screwed, our children are screwed as well as our grandchildren. About all we can do is pray, and have faith in God that he will pull the nation away from the evil that has befallen us all.
I thought the money was already awarded to victims of 9-11 through a Supreme Court ruling. How can they use it as a ransom?
To rerun 1979 minus Reagen in office for 1981
Biden is, indeed, a traitor, but we will still focus all our efforts on prosecuting Trump instead of protecting ourselves from our mortal enemies. We have a government which is out of touch and and being led by senility to our detriment and our death as a nation. Trump hatred has gone too far!!
In true American tradition of trading, Biden just bought the freedom for a few Americans for $6 billion being given to the enemy for unfettered use.
Let our enemy number one prosper and plan for our downfall in the name of equity.
After all the only thing we have missed so far is “Being the Biggest Failure Nation in the World.” We have to try to strive to be the best, no matter what the category.
Thank you Joe Biden for pointing out the weakness in our Constitution where a criminal imbecile can ascend to the Presidency and remain untouched by the law.
WE HAVE BECOME THE WORLD’S MOST LAWLESS COUNTRY.
“Iran to use for humanitarian…” Are you joking ? Iran already told Biden they’ll spend the $$ as they choose – Probably will build another Huge shopping mall – they have 10 now but they Never help the poor. Biden is a joke and made America look STUPID with this deal when Trump got prisoners release and didn’t pay a dime!