Iran MFA replies to US claims regarding prisoners swap

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
13 Mar 2023 00:10

The statement came in response to the claims of falsification made by the US Secretary of State spokesperson against a speech made by Amir-Abdollahian about a future prisoner swap deal.

The building of the Iranian Foreign Ministry in Tehran (IRNA)

In a statement responding to the claims of falsification made by the US Secretary of State spokesperson against a speech made by FM Amir-Abdollahian, the Iranian foreign ministry revealed a written bilateral agreement on prisoner exchange was signed in March last year.

"The American response to the Foreign Minister's speech is shocking" the statement reads. "given that it was a formal American delegation that signed the agreement."

The statement added that the American side had refrained from complying hitherto with the prisoner exchange deal for unspecified reasons.

The ministry also clarified that "during the past weeks there were bilateral mediated talks with the Americans to revamp the agreement."

The ministry also exclaimed that "prisoner exchange from Iran's perspective is solely a humanitarian issue and shouldn't be subject to political biddings."

Earlier today, the Iranian foreign minister Amir-Abdollahian was quoted saying "everything is ready" in regards to the prisoner exchange deal with the US.

"If everything goes well on the American side, I think we will witness the exchange of prisoners in the short term." He added.

According to Iranian officials, at least three US citizens are held in the country's prisons.

Ned Price, the spokesperson of the US state department, quickly denied the existence of such an agreement describing it as a "cruel lie".

"Another especially cruel lie that only adds to the suffering of their (the prisoners') families" Ned Price was quoted saying.

"We are working relentlessly to secure the release of the three wrongfully detained Americans in Iran," He then added.