The Biden administration has struck a deal with Iran to swap prisoners and release $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds.
Per the deal, Iran will release five American citizens detained in Iran and the U.S. release five Iranian citizens being held in the U.S.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks at the launch of the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy, in the Dean Acheson Auditorium of the US State Department in Washington, D.C., on August 1, 2023. (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
US SEIZED NEARLY 1 MILLION BARRELS OF IRANIAN OIL BEING SMUGGLED TO CHINA
The deal creates a blanket waiver to transfer $6 billion in frozen Iranian money from South Korea to Qatar without fear of violating U.S. sanctions. The United States classifies Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed off on the deal late last week, but Congress was not notified of the decision until Monday, the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, according to the notification, which was obtained by The Associated Press.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.