President Joe Biden has successfully brought home five imprisoned Americans from Iran by unlocking $6 billion in frozen funds.
The return of the Americans highlights the difficult decisions presidents face when balancing humanitarian concerns, geopolitics, and domestic considerations.
“This is my brother, not an abstract policy,” said, Neda Sharghi, the sister of Emad Sharghi, who was released from Iran.
WATCH: Biden admin asked what happens if Iran uses $6 billion to fund terrorism. https://t.co/D3448wQGwx pic.twitter.com/Ont44jTikL
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“We are talking about human lives. There is nothing partisan about saving the lives of innocent Americans and today should be a moment of American unity as we welcome them home,” she added.
“Today, five innocent Americans who were imprisoned in Iran are finally coming home,” Biden said in a statement.
Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz, Emad Sharghi and two unnamed citizens were released.
“For almost eight years I have been dreaming of this day,” Namazi, who was imprisoned in 2015, said.
“My ineffable joy of my forthcoming reunification with my family is laced with sorrow – a painful and deep feeling of guilt for taking my breaths in freedom while so many courageous individuals that I love and admire continue languishing behind those walls,” Namazi said.
Former president Donald Trump criticized the deal by saying “once you pay, you always pay and many more hostages will be taken.”
The White House claims this money isn’t American tax dollars and is not equivalent to a ransom. The Biden administration says the funds were “already owed to Iran” and “will be overseen by Qatar, to be used only for humanitarian purposes.”
