Five American citizens detained in Iran for years have been released. In exchange for the release of the five American citizens, US President Joe Biden released Iran’s frozen assets in South Korea. The families of the released American citizens have thanked President Joe Biden. Joe Biden issued a statement saying that five innocent American citizens imprisoned in Iran are finally coming home.
The statement was issued on Sunday
South Korea owed Iran money, but the money was not paid for oil it purchased before the US imposed sanctions. Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani had said that the exchange would be carried out on Monday after Iranian assets worth about six billion dollars reached Qatar. “Fortunately Iran’s seized assets in South Korea were released and God willing, today the assets will begin to be fully controlled by the government and the nation,” Kanani said.
Tension still continues between the two countries
Despite this agreement, tension remains high between America and Iran. This tension is due to many disputes including Iran’s nuclear program. Iran has been saying that its program is for peaceful purposes. However, it is enriching uranium closer to weapons-grade levels than ever before. The planned exchange of prisoners comes at a time when the US is engaged in military buildup in the Persian Gulf. It involves US troops boarding and guarding commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. 20% of all world oil shipments pass through this strait.
