The US has denied a claim that Iran plans to release three American prisoners in exchange for the release of frozen funds.
Iran’s top diplomat said Sunday that a deal was close to being finalized, but did not elaborate.
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“Unfortunately, Iranian officials will not hesitate to make things up, and the latest cruel claim will cause more heartache for the families of Siamak Namazi, Emad Shargi, and Morad Tahbaz,” a National Security Council official told Al Arabiya English.
The official added that the US remained committed to securing the freedom of Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharghi, and Morad Tahbaz, “but we have nothing to announce at this time.”
The news of an imminent deal came shortly after Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to restore ties and after Iranian officials were in Oman at the weekend. Muscat has long played a role as a mediator between Washington and Tehran.
A source familiar with the talks told Al Arabiya English that Iran would release Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz, and Emad Sharghi. In return, they said that the US is expected to release Iranian funds frozen in South Korea, Iraq and Japan plus at least one prisoner.
However, the source said, the Iranians to be released were not expected to be prominent, such as Manssor Arbabsiar, who was charged in the US for an alleged plot to assassinate a Saudi diplomat in 2011.
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