Iran releases four US prisoners in swap; fifth American freed separately

On board a chartered flight that landed in Geneva were Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati and Christian pastor Saeed Abedini.

Huffman said the freed prisoners are expected to be transported to a USA military hospital in Germany for medical evaluation.

When asked about the “bitter” part of the prisoner release negotiation, Laurie answered, “We can remember that God works all things together for good to those who love Him and are the called according to His goal (Romans 8:28)”. A fifth prisoner, American student Matthew Trevithick, was released separately on Saturday, a USA official said.

“Those who wished to depart Iran have left”, said one official.

Four Americans detained in Iran have been released, the US said Sunday.

United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon “commends the move to improve ties”, he said in Dubai.

Republican presidential candidates Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio praised Iran’s release of five detained Americans on Sunday, but sharply criticized the deal the White House made to win their freedom saying it would lead to more Americans being taken ‘hostage’.

“When Americans are freed, that’s something we can all celebrate”, said Obama.

The Daily Mail reports that former Federal Bureau of Investigation agent Robert Levison went missing on the Iranian island of Kish in March of 2007.

EU Foreign Policy chief Federica Mogherini – in a statement also read in Farsi by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Jawad Zarif – said the accord “demonstrates that with political will, perseverance, and through multilateral diplomacy, we can solve the most hard issues and find practical solutions that are effectively implemented”. “But once again, Bob Levinson has been left behind”, the Levinson family said on Facebook.

The U.S. was prepared to release individuals who violated nuclear-related sanctions on Iran, Kerry said.

The United States also agreed to drop charges against 14 other Iranians whose extradition to the United States seemed unlikely, a USA official said.

The deal came ahead of an expected announcement that worldwide sanctions against Tehran will be lifted under a nuclear agreement.

“We are relieved that this 545-day nightmare for Jason and his family is finally over”. “I feel a part of their family now”.

Yet in a sign of the diplomatic strains that remain between the two countries, the U.S. Treasury Department announced minutes before the president spoke that it would impose fresh sanctions against Iran for violating prohibitions against ballistic missile tests.

The United States in return freed seven Iranians held in U.S. prisons.

“Considering how little value the Ministry of Intelligence places on my Iranian citizenship and passport, I, too, place little value on them and inform you, effectively that I formally renounce my Iranian citizenship and passport”.

At critical points in the nuclear negotiations, Iranian authorities would make often contradictory comments about Rezaian’s status.

Iranian media identified the Iranians freed from USA jails as Nader Modanlou, Bahram Mechanic, Khosrow Afqahi, Arash Ghahreman, Touraj Faridi, Nima Golestaneh and Ali Sabounchi. Either way, she says it could be a matter of days before she gets to hold her husband in her arms, and let him hold his kids.