Iran and the U.S. are exchanging prisoners today after the Biden administration freed up $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets.
Officials say five prisoners sought by the U.S. in the prisoner swap were flown out of Tehran this morning.
Qatar is supposed to oversee the funds to ensure that Iran only uses them for humanitarian purposes. But as CBN News has reported, some have still called this a massive ransom payment for American hostages.
“It’s good news that American hostages, illegally seized by the regime in Iran, are coming home. But paying $6 billion in ransom payments means the regime will only take more hostages,” explained Mark Dubowitz, president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. “This has become a lucrative means of international extortion for Iran’s supreme leader.”‘
It Will Free up $6B for Terrorism’: Biden Admin Cuts a Deal with Iran for 5 US Hostages
Tensions won’t be lowered between the two countries because the nuclear threat from Iran is stronger than ever. The Islamic regime is now enriching uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.
The prisoner swap and $6 billion payment also come amid a major American military buildup in the Persian Gulf, with the possibility of U.S. troops boarding and guarding commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of all oil shipments pass. Iran has harassed oil tankers and seized several of them without any valid reason.
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