Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Iran nuke deal one-sided?



Yes, that header is a rhetorical question, as US John Kerry risks breaking his other leg in the rush to have a deal with Iran, ANY deal.

Found an interesting article about one of the unheralded side deals made with the US along the way of negotiations.

From Israel National News

Report: US Released Iranian Prisoners as Precursor to Deal

Four prisoners released to Tehran in 2012-13 as part of 'wish list' Iran sent US for nuclear deal; three Americans still held by Iran.


By Tova Dorin
30/6/2015


The US withdrew "red lines" with Iran long before the current round of nuclear negotiations began, according to a report released Sunday.


According to the Wall Street Journal, Washington helped expedite the release of four Iranian prisoners in 2012 and 2013 as part of a precursor to negotiations negotiated via a "wish list" Iran sent to the US in 2009.


Of those, it said, three had been convicted of sending arms or other materials to the Islamic Republic while sanctions were still being imposed on its nuclear program. Not all of them had completed their full sentences for their crimes, and one, scientist Mojtaba Atarodi, returned to Iran days after his conviction.


US officials reportedly worked with Oman to return the prisoners to Iran.


The Washington Free Beacon theorizes Tuesday that the prisoners were returned as part of a prisoner swap in 2011 to free four American hostages being held in Iran.


It also notes, however, that three additional Americans are still being held there in 2015 - and that if a prisoner swap is not made explicit in the nuclear deal due to be announced by Tuesday night, releasing more Iranian prisoners may be on the agenda.


Prisoner swaps have become more common since Barack Obama became the US President, both with terror groups in the Middle East and with former sworn enemies of the US. ...


Go read more interesting details here.

My usual warning ever relevant:  PAY ATTENTION.

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