Iran expressed on Monday June 26, its hope that indirect talks with the United States could yield a favorable outcome regarding a potential prisoner exchange. The two rival countries have been engaging in indirect talks mediated by Oman as they have for several indirect talks in the past.
Iran said on Monday it was hoping indirect talks with the United States could lead to a “positive” outcome for a prisoner swap.
Iran announced earlier this month that it was engaged in Oman-mediated talks with its arch-nemesis the United States over its nuclear deal and a possible prisoner exchange.
At least three Iranian-Americans are being held in Iran, including businessman Siamak Namazi, arrested in October 2015 and sentenced to 10 years in prison for espionage.
The other two are venture capitalist Emad Sharqi, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison on spying charges, and Morad Tahbaz, who also holds British nationality, and was jailed for 10 years for “conspiring with America”.
In the past two months, Iran released six European citizens and recovered an Iranian diplomat, Assadollah Assadi, who was convicted of terrorism and imprisoned in Belgium.
Kanani’s comment came following media reports that Washington and Tehran were close to an interim deal to replace the 2015 nuclear accord. The two sides have denied these reports.
Known as the JCPOA, the accord granted Iran much-needed sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear deal before it collapsed in 2018 after Washington unilateral pullout.
In recent days, the two capitals have denied media reports that they were close to reaching an interim deal to replace the 2015 accord.
Khalil Wakim, with AFP
