Post reporter, other jailed Americans leave Iran after prisoner swap

Four Iranian-American citizens freed by Iran in a prisoner swap with the United States had left Teheran and were flying to Bern in Switzerland, Iranian state television reported.

Rezaian’s wife, Yeganeh Salehi, and his mother Mary were also on the flight out of Iran. Among those on board was The Washington Post’s Tehran correspondent Jason Rezaian, who had been detained in Iran for almost 18 months. There were no additional details. U.S. officials said Mr Rezaian, Mr Hekmati, and Mr Abedini were on the flight, but not Mr Khosravi-Roodsari. Another said “it’s his free determination where he wants to go”. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)The release of four Americans detained by Iran won praise on Saturday from several Republicans running for president, along with condemnation of the Obama administration for its dealings with the Islamic Republic.

A senior United States administration official said the timing of the two developments was coincidental.

“We can confirm that the USA citizens who departed Iran this morning after being released from detention have arrived in Germany”, a State Department official in Washington said.

“We look forward to the joyous occasion of welcoming him back to the Washington Post newsroom”, publisher Frederick Ryan Jr. said in a statement.

Rezaian’s brother Ali said he had no immediate confirmation of the news. He called their release the end of a “nightmare”.

“The proliferation of sensitive US technologies to Iran and the direct support to their military and weapons programs remains a clear threat to USA national security”, said Randall Coleman, assistant director of the FBI’s counterintelligence division.

Jamili was also accused of exporting to Iran U.S.-built pressure transducers, used in nuclear centrifuges.

President Barack Obama pardoned Bahram Mechanic, Khosrow Afghahi and Tooraj Faridi, a lawyer for one of the men said. On Sunday he repeated his contention that the deal will strengthen and embolden Tehran, leading to greater regional instability.

Later Saturday, the European Union and USA announced the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions on Iran in Vienna.

As a result, at least some global economic sanctions against Iran were lifted.

The deal comes after more than a year of secret negotiations, the officials said. The nuclear agreement “accelerated” the exchange, Kerry said.

The U.S. also removed Interpol red notices and dismissed charges against 14 Iranians for whom extradition was unlikely to be successful.

Two congressmen were headed to Germany on Sunday to greet Rezaian and Hekmati.

“Asked how he was doing, he said, ‘I’m a hell of a lot better than I was 48 hours ago, ‘” the Post said in a memo to Post staff, which was released by the newspaper.

Ali Rezaian spoke to ABC News from Landstuhl, Germany, where Jason is receiving medical care.

“Most of the discussions of the past day have been about the work and reporting”, they said.

“I am overcome with emotion that after four and a half years, this awful ordeal is ending and the Hekmati family will soon be reunited with Amir”, Kildee said.

“We’re delighted this day has finally arrived”, ACLJ Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow said in a statement.

Government spokesman Saad al-Hadithi told The Associated Press on Sunday that Iraq believes the deal “will be a catalyst for beginning to solve a number of disputes in the region peacefully and through dialogue”.

“Amir, I can not wait to meet you for the first time, give you a big hug, and welcome you home”.

Host Chris Wallace pressed Cruz on his bombastic military rhetoric, pointing out his comment during Thursday night’s sixth GOP presidential debate that “any country that makes USA service members get on their knees…will feel the full force and fury of the United States”.