The Obama administration staunchly defended two deals with Iran that came to fruition on Saturday, praising an unexpected prisoner swap and long awaited sanctions relief for the Islamic republic despite criticism from the Republican presidential field.On Saturday Iran released five US citizens, four as part of a deal with American officials in exchange for the pardon of seven Iranians facing trial or prison terms in the US for sanctions violations.
The releases, including that of Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, coincided with the end of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, and came days after the release of 10 American sailors briefly detained by the Revolutionary Guard.
“I don’t think we’re thanking Iran with respect to the release of these American citizens,” a senior administration official told reporters late on Saturday. “Our judgment is they were detained in Iran unjustly. The fact of the matter is we had an opportunity to secure their release.”
Earlier, Republicans welcomed the release of the American citizens butexcoriated the Obama administration for both the nuclear pact and its side swap with Tehran.
Donald Trump, the billionaire who leads in the polls, suggested the US gave Iran more than it received. A spokesperson for Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said President Obama had, via sanctions relief, paid “a ransom” for the Americans’ freedom.
Administration officials disagreed, stressing: “This was a unique circumstance.”
“This was not a spy swap,” said one, “this was not an exchange of intelligence assets.”
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