The prisoners’ return hinges on the availability of the money. The five American prisoners won’t be permitted to leave Iran until the funds are transferred to Iranian accounts in Qatar.
The official Islamic Republic News Agency divulges that, as part of the deal, a sum of $10 billion will be released from accounts in South Korea and Iraq.
Skywatchers: Iridescent Pileus Phenomenon, the Rainbow Cloud – USA Herald
Latest Flash Mob of 400 Teens Creates Chaos in California Mall – USA Herald
Past hostage exchanges
Historically, previous administrations have engaged in hostage exchanges.
During the Obama presidency, the US secured the release of five detained Americans concurrent with the transfer of a $400 million ransom to Iran. This exchange was accompanied by contentious debates.
The money Obama paid Iran had been held since the 1980s when Iran took over and held Americans hostage in the US Embassy in Tehran.
The cash was loaded onto a plane in pallets of cash. The prisoners at the time were only released after the money was counted. The hostages were at the airport waiting for the cash to come in.
