SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iran said on Tuesday it was ready to exchange American political prisoners in exchange for the release of Iranian inmates detained around the world over violations of U.S. sanctions.
Spokesman of Iranian government Ali Rabiei said Iran was holding talks on prisoner exchanges with the United States aimed at securing the release of Iranians held in U.S. jails and other countries, according to Reuters.
“We will issue more information if Iranian prisoners are released and the country’s interests are secured and the talks reach a conclusion,” Rabiei said in a press conference.
“Because of its humanitarian aims, Iran is ready to exchange all American political prisoners in exchange for the release of all Iranian prisoners who have been detained around the world at the behest of America,” he added.
There was no immediate comment from the United States on Rabiei’s remarks.
In May, the United States denied a report by Iranian state television that the countries had reached a prisoner swap deal in exchange for the release of $7 billion in frozen Iranian oil funds under U.S. sanctions in other countries.
