"US Agrees to Release Iranian Detainees...Unfreezing of Funds in South Korea"

The Joe Biden administration in the United States has reportedly agreed to release frozen oil payment funds in South Korea in exchange for the release of American detainees in Iran. In this regard, the U.S. White House National Security Council (NSC) confirmed that five Americans detained in Iran have been released and placed under house arrest.

The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 10th (local time), citing sources, that the U.S. agreed to release Iranian funds frozen in South Korea and to release some Iranians detained in the U.S. in exchange for the release of Americans held in Iran. Accordingly, five Americans, including Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharghi, and Morad Tabaz, who were imprisoned in Evin Prison, one of the most notorious detention facilities in Iran, have been placed under house arrest. The NYT described this as "the first phase of an agreement reached after more than two years of quiet negotiations."

The Biden administration has not officially confirmed what it will provide to Iran in exchange for the release of the Americans. However, the media outlet, citing sources, reported that the Biden administration plans to release Iranians imprisoned in the U.S. for various sanctions violations. Additionally, it reported that $6 billion in frozen oil sales proceeds in South Korea will be allowed to be transferred to an account at the Qatar Central Bank.

Until now, Iran has received crude oil export payments through accounts in the name of the Central Bank of Iran opened at South Korea's Woori Bank and IBK Industrial Bank, but these funds have been frozen since 2018 due to U.S. sanctions against Iran. It is known that if the frozen Iranian funds are released, the U.S. will regulate their use strictly for humanitarian purposes and medicines. However, the NYT added that there is potential for controversy within the U.S. over this agreement, as the frozen funds could fall into the hands of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and be used to support armed groups.

Following the NYT report, the NSC issued a statement under spokesperson Adrienne Watson confirming, "We have received confirmation that Iran has released five Americans who were unjustly detained." She described it as "an encouraging step, but they should never have been detained in the first place," and added, "We will continue to closely monitor their condition." However, regarding the specific details of the negotiations, she said, "Negotiations for the final release are ongoing and sensitive," and did not provide further details.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.