During a high profile talk in New York, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif offered publicly to negotiate a direct prisoner swap with the United States, saying he has been authorized to work out such a deal.
Zarif was very straightforward about the need for such a deal, saying
“we believe their charges are phony. The United States believes charges
against these people in Iran are phony,” suggesting that instead of
arguing over that, the two countries should just exchange.
Zarif had raised the possibility of swaps before, but with more cautious
language, suggesting he may have just been feeling out the idea. Now,
he’s saying he’s already got it approved on his side, and just needs the
US to sign off.
The State Department confirmed it was “aware” of the offer, but did not
say anything beyond that. In general, the detainees held by the US are
accused of violating US sanctions, and it is unclear if the US would be
willing to make such a trade, if only because a prisoner swap would ease
tensions, and most of the administration seems to prefer to worsen
tensions.
“if only because a prisoner swap would ease tensions, and most of the administration seems to prefer to worsen tensions”
Bingo! This would be like taking one of the gifts away that Trump has bestowed upon his pal Bibi. What good is getting out of the JCPOA, staying in Syria, labeling the guards as terrorists or declaring Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights if we’re going to actually do something that makes sense.
The US government always does the right thing, but not until it’s exhausted all other options.