Posted 9/18/2023, 8:08:00 PM

Biden Secures Release of 5 Americans from Iran, But Deal Draws Criticism

Biden secured the release of 5 imprisoned Americans from Iran but faced criticism that the deal was too favorable to Tehran.
Republicans claimed the $6 billion sanctions relief will fund terrorism, but the funds can only be used for humanitarian purposes.
Past presidents like Trump also negotiated prisoner swaps despite criticism, showing the dilemma presidents face.
Families of detainees have ramped up pressure on presidents to act, changing the calculus on negotiations.
Biden says the deal was necessary on humanitarian grounds, but it gives Republicans ammunition to claim he is weak on Iran.

cnn.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/11/2023

U.S. Agrees to Unfreeze $6 Billion in Iranian Assets to Secure Release of 5 Americans Held in Iran

The Biden administration has agreed to unfreeze approximately $6 billion in Iranian assets in exchange for the release of five American citizens held by Iran, with the deal also calling for the freeing of five unidentified Iranians held by the US, triggering potential outrage due to the timing coinciding with the anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

9/11/2023

Biden Frees Up $6 Billion to Secure Release of 5 Detained Americans in Prisoner Swap with Iran

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9/11/2023

Menendez Worried $6B Iran Deal Could Encourage More Hostage Taking

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez expressed concerns about the Biden administration's decision to unfreeze $6 billion for Iran in exchange for the release of five U.S. prisoners, stating that it may encourage hostile nations to take more Americans hostage in the future.

9/12/2023

Iran Plans to Spend Released $6 Billion With Little U.S. Oversight Despite Prisoner Swap Deal

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9/12/2023

U.S. Pursues Prisoner Swap with Iran; New COVID Vaccine Approved; Morocco Declines Quake Aid; Google Antitrust Trial Begins; Hurricane Lee Threatens New England

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9/12/2023

GOP Slams Biden's Iran Prisoner Swap as 'Ransom' to Terror State

The Biden administration's decision to carry out a prisoner exchange with Iran, involving issuing a waiver to release $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds, has sparked outrage from Republicans who accuse Biden of paying a ransom to a state sponsor of terrorism.

9/18/2023

Five Americans Freed from Iran Prison in Rare US-Iran Prisoner Swap Deal

Five Americans, who were wrongfully detained in Iran, have been freed and are being flown to Doha as part of a broader deal that includes the US unfreezing $6 billion in Iranian funds, marking a significant diplomatic breakthrough after years of complicated negotiations between the two countries.

9/19/2023

Republicans Criticize Prisoner Swap Deal with Iran Despite Release of 5 Long-Held Americans

Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie criticizes the Iran deal that led to the release of five American prisoners, stating that he would not have made the deal and expressing concerns about the use of funds by Iran.

9/18/2023

Trump Slams Biden for Iran Hostage Deal, Says He Brought Home More for Free

Former President Trump criticizes President Biden's deal with Tehran to bring five Americans home from Iranian prisons, stating that he successfully brought 58 hostages home without paying anything and warns that paying for hostages sets a dangerous precedent.

9/19/2023

Plane with 5 Freed Americans Lands in US After Prisoner Swap Deal with Iran

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9/19/2023

Christie Criticizes Biden's Prisoner Exchange With Iran, Calls it a 'Gift' to a 'Terrorist State'

Former governor and Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie criticized President Biden's prisoner exchange deal with Iran, stating that giving $6 billion to a terrorist state was unacceptable and would make Americans more vulnerable.

9/20/2023

Iran Frees 5 Americans in Prisoner Swap, Unfreezing $6B in Iranian Funds

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi says that the release of the five Americans from Iranian detention was prompted by purely humanitarian motives and was an opportunity to show the true face of Iran's humanitarian efforts, as he defends the decision to unfreeze Iranian funds.