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US, Iran Release Prisoners In $6bn Swap Deal
The United States and Iran on Monday swapped five prisoners each in one of the arch-foes’ first deals in years as Tehran gained access to $6 billion in frozen funds.
The five Americans freed by Iran, including one held for eight years, flew out of Tehran in a Qatari jet, hours after the unblocked funds were deposited in accounts also managed by Qatar.
The freed prisoners walked in the setting sun on the tarmac and within hours a separate US government plane shuttled them to Washington, where some will undergo medical check-ups.
The White House said Biden held an “emotional call” with families of the released prisoners, one of whom praised the president for taking the “incredibly difficult decisions” that freed them.
“Thank you, President Biden, for ultimately putting the lives of American citizens above politics,” Siamak Namazi, a businessman held since 2015, said in a statement.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken insisted the Biden administration had “no higher priority” than freeing US citizens.
“It’s very good to be able to say that our fellow citizens are free,” Blinken told reporters in New York, where he and Biden are taking part in UN meetings.
Two of the Iranian detainees returned to Tehran after transiting Doha, Iranian official media said. The other three released by the United States have opted to remain there or in a third country.
Following quiet discussions led in part by Qatar, the two countries completed the exchange after the transfer of $6 billion in funds, frozen by US ally South Korea.
The Biden administration has rejected criticism at home that it was paying “ransom,” insisting the money will be used only for humanitarian purposes, with a threat to re-freeze the funds if not.
But Iran has insisted it has full access.
The money “cruelly blocked until now and currently in the possession of the Islamic republic belongs to the people (of Iran) and we will use them to meet the people’s needs,” President Ebrahim Raisi said in New York.
Political Risks For Biden
Biden’s Republican rivals have roundly denounced the deal. Republican Senator Mitt Romney said it would lead to “kidnappings”.
“The idea of basically paying to release, in this effect, a hostage is a terrible idea,” he said.
Mindful of political risks, Biden in a statement said he would “continue to impose costs” on Iran.
Biden did not mention that he granted clemency to five Iranians. A US official said that all were convicted or charged with non-violent crimes, with one already set to be released soon.
Iran had generated the revenue through oil sales. South Korea froze the funds after Biden’s Republican predecessor Donald Trump withdrew from a landmark nuclear accord and imposed unilateral US sanctions on buying oil from Iran.
Iran’s central bank governor, Mohammadreza Farzin, said Tehran would seek damages from South Korea both for the delay and the reduction in value during the wait.
The five Americans of Iranian descent — all considered Iranian nationals by Tehran, which rejects dual nationality — were released to house arrest when the deal was agreed last month.
Besides Namazi, they include wildlife conservationist Morad Tahbaz, venture capitalist Emad Sharqi and two others who wished to remain anonymous. All were accused of spying or other crimes that they strongly reject.
A US official said that two more US citizens flew out of Tehran — Namazi’s mother and Sharqi’s wife, who were not in prison but had not been allowed to leave.
Tense Relationship
According to Tehran, the freed Iranians include Reza Sarhangpour and Kambiz Attar Kashani, both accused of violating US sanctions against Tehran.
A third prisoner, Kaveh Lotfolah Afrasiabi, was detained at his home near Boston in 2021 and charged with being an Iranian government agent, according to US officials.
The two others were said to have links to Iranian security forces.
The swap was the first deal sealed by Biden with Iran’s clerical rulers, who toppled the pro-Western shah in 1979 and are deeply hostile to the United States.
Biden took office with hopes of restoring the 2015 nuclear agreement, under which Iran promised to constrain its contested nuclear work in return for sanctions relief. But months of talks failed to produce a breakthrough.
Prospects to restore the deal sank further after protests broke out almost exactly a year ago in Iran following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who had been arrested for allegedly violating the country’s Islamic dress code for women.
Blinken said that the release of the prisoners “doesn’t speak to anything else in the relationship,” with the nuclear issue “a different track.”
The Oyo State Government has directed officials of the Ministry of Lands and Urban Development to halt the marking and demolition of houses situated beyond the 150-metre setback along the Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road.
The decision comes as part of ongoing efforts to address the Oyo Govt Halts Demolition Beyond 150metres Along Ladoja Ibadan Circular Road of affected residents, while an enumeration of properties within the corridor is being conducted to ensure adequate compensation.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Mr. Williams Akin-Funmilayo, during a joint press briefing on Friday with the Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Professor Dahud Kehinde Shangodoyin, at the Ministry’s Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan.
Akin-Funmilayo emphasised that Governor ‘Seyi Makinde’s administration remains committed to prioritising the welfare of its citizens, denying claims that the governor had extended the setback from 150 metres to 500 metres.
He clarified that no new land acquisitions had been made in the Circular Road corridor since Governor Makinde assumed office in 2019.
He explained that the 150-metre setback on both sides of the road was initially acquired in August 2006 during the administration of Senator Rashidi Ladoja. An additional 350 metres on both sides was acquired and gazetted by the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi in 2018.
“The governor has not acquired a single square metre of land along the Circular Road since 2019,” Akin-Funmilayo stated. “We are simply continuing with what was met on the ground, and we are developing the 150-metre segment for construction.”
He reassured residents that properties within the 150-metre boundary will be preserved, including housing settlements and villages, with no immediate plans for total clearance.
The commissioner also stressed that the current markings of buildings are for enumeration purposes, to assess affected properties for compensation and to prevent further unauthorised construction within the acquired land.
“Our focus now is on stopping new developments and determining the existing structures,” he explained. “The markings do not necessarily indicate demolition; they are part of the process to freeze further development and ensure proper compensation is made to those affected.”
The government, he added, has already started compensating residents whose properties are impacted by the project.
Akin-Funmilayo also instructed that no buildings beyond the 150-metre boundary should be marked or demolished at this time.
“We are taking every step to minimise the impact of the road construction on residents,” he said. “While some buildings will have to go, compensation will be paid fairly, and we are also exploring the option of providing alternate land to those affected.”
Prince Niyi Fasoye, speaking on behalf of the affected residents, expressed hope for more favourable responses from the government as the enumeration and compensation processes unfold.
The government has urged residents to support its efforts, assuring them that the project is being carried out in the public interest and not for personal gain.
The first phase of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit has transported over 250,000 passengers in just over 100 days since it began commercial operations.
This was revealed by John Zhao, an official of the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC), which constructed and operates the rail system.
Zhao shared the update on his X handle on Friday.
According to Zhao, the rail network, consisting of two lines, covers a total length of 45 kilometers, with 12 stations across the city.
The trains have been operating safely, reaching a maximum speed of 100km/h, since commercial operations began on May 29, 2024, following its commissioning by President Bola Tinubu.
The rail lines connect the Abuja city center, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, and the Kubwa satellite town.
Zhao highlighted the impact of the rail system on traffic in the city, stating, “The Phase 1 of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit by #CCECC has been operating safely for over 100 days! Consisting of 2 lines with a total length of 45 km and 12 stations, the maximum operating speed of the trains can reach 100km/h. It connects Abuja city center, the international airport, and Kubwa satellite town. During its operation, over 250,000 passengers have already been served, significantly reducing traffic congestion in the capital.”
Popularly known as the Abuja Metro Rail, the service has provided a vital link for commuters, easing the burden on the city’s road network.
Also, President Tinubu recently approved the extension of free rides on the rail system for another six months, until the end of 2024. This follows an earlier announcement by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, offering commuters two months of free rides.
Canada has announced an immediate end to the policy allowing holders of visitor visas to apply for work permits from within the country.
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, highlighting the move as part of broader efforts to manage the number of temporary residents and maintain the integrity of the immigration system.
The statement noted that while the temporary policy was originally set to expire on February 28, 2025, the decision to terminate it was accelerated due to concerns over misuse.
“IRCC is also aware that some bad actors were using the policy to mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without authorization,” the statement read.
The IRCC further assured that applications submitted before August 28, 2024, under the policy, will still be processed.
The policy was initially introduced in August 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, aimed at assisting visitors who were unable to return home due to border closures.
It permitted them to apply for a work permit without needing to exit Canada. Additionally, it enabled those who had held a work permit within the previous 12 months but had switched to visitor status to legally work in Canada while awaiting a decision on their new work permit application.
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