Iran Releases Detained Americans After 2 Years

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] An American who was detained in Iran has been released after two years. U.S. President Donald Trump immediately expressed his welcome.

On the 4th (local time), U.S. media, citing administration officials, reported that Michael White, an American who had been detained in Iran, was released and boarded a Swiss government aircraft to return home.

Brian Hook, the U.S. Special Representative for Iran, flew to Switzerland and is scheduled to return to the U.S. with White. Neutral Switzerland acts as the U.S. interests representative office in Iran.

White, who served in the U.S. Navy for 13 years, was arrested in July 2018 while visiting Iran to meet his Iranian girlfriend. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges including insulting Iran’s Supreme Leader and posting anti-government statements on social media under a pseudonym.

President Donald Trump confirmed the release via tweet, saying, "I am pleased to announce that Navy veteran Michael White, who was held in Iran for 683 days, is on a Swiss aircraft that has just left Iranian airspace," and added, "We look forward to him being home with his family in the U.S. soon."

He further emphasized, "I will never stop efforts to secure the release of all Americans held hostage overseas."

AFP reported, "White’s release came just one day after Iranian scientist Sirous Asgari returned to Iran."

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