A new Iran deal shows the Biden administration is willing to pay a big price to free Americans
As the Biden administration heralds the forthcoming release of five U.S. citizens detained by Iran, it’s also confronting questions about the price being paid to bring them home
WASHINGTON (AP) — As the Biden administration heralds the forthcoming release of five U.S. citizens detained by Iran, President Joe Biden is also confronting questions about the price being paid to bring them — and other detainees — home.
The billions of dollars being unfrozen for Iran and the release of five prisoners charged in America are just the latest sizable concessions by the U.S. government in the name of securing the freedom of wrongfully detained Americans.
In the past year alone, a notorious arms dealer was exchanged for a WNBA star imprisoned in Russia on a minor drug offense and a major drug lord was traded for a civilian contractor held by the Taliban. And though the U.S, doesn’t control the $6 billion in Iranian funds, it's removing a critical obstacle to their release as the main price for the homecoming of five American citizens, giving Iran a much-needed boost for its struggling economy.
The administration's deals with adversaries have in some instances drawn scorn from congressional Republicans who see them as tantamount to ransom payments. But each time, officials have said bringing home Americans held by foreign adversaries is a core administration priority that necessarily comes at a heavy cost. Increasingly, the Biden White House has appeared willing to pay it.
