US, Iran swap prisoners

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US, Iran, Americans, swap, prisoners, cooperation, Donald Trump, Massoud Soleimani
FREED AT LAST: US special representative for Iran Brian Hook with American researcher Xiyue Wang in Zurich, Switzerland, and (at right) Iran Foreign Minister Javad Zarif (left) with Iranian scientist Massoud Soleimani at an undisclosed location. - AP, AFP

Dubai - Trump said Xiyue Wang, a US citizen held in Iran for three years on spying charges, was returning to the United States.

By Reuters

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Published: Sat 7 Dec 2019, 9:00 PM

Last updated: Sat 7 Dec 2019, 11:38 PM

The United States and Iran each freed a prisoner on Saturday in a rare swap, an act of cooperation between two longtime foes whose ties have worsened since President Donald Trump took office.
Trump said Xiyue Wang, a US citizen held in Iran for three years on spying charges, was returning to the United States. An Iranian official said that Iranian Massoud Soleimani had been freed from detention in the United States.
A US administration official said Washington was hopeful that Wang's release would lead to the freeing of other Americans held in Iran and was a sign Tehran is willing to come to the table to talk about other issues. Wang appeared to be in good health and humour, he said.
Switzerland facilitated the swap and Iranian state news agency Irna said that Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif welcomed Soleimani in Zurich, where it said the swap took place.
In a statement issued by the White House, President Trump thanked the Swiss government for its help in negotiating Wang's release.
 


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