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Transcript/Script US-IRAN DETAINEES
HEADLINE: Blinken: Release of Americans From Iranian Prison a ‘Positive Step’
TEASER: Secretary of State Antony Blinken rejects criticism that the Tehran government is getting any kind of U.S. sanctions relief.
PUBLISHED AT: 08/10/2023 at 11:21pm
BYLINE: Cindy Saine
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE:
VIDEOGRAPHER:
PRODUCER: Bakhtiyar Zamanov
SCRIPT EDITORS: Mia Bush, Jepsen
VIDEO SOURCE (S): Saine Zoom interviews, VOA Persian Service file video, Reuters
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:19
VID APPROVED BY: Bill Ide
TYPE:
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO))
[[ Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the release of Americans wrongfully detained in Iran from Evin Prison to house arrest is a positive first step, but work remains to be done for them to be returned to the United States safely. Experts welcome the release of long-held U.S. citizens from the notorious prison, but some say the deal that would include making $6 billion in Iranian funds more accessible to Tehran sets a bad precedent that could encourage other countries to take Americans hostage. VOA's Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports.]]
((NARRATOR))
Iran confirmed Thursday that it had transferred four American prisoners to house arrest in exchange for billions of dollars frozen in South Korea. A fifth American woman is already under house arrest and was not identified.
A human rights lawyer identified three of the prisoners as Siamak Namazi, Emad Shargi and Morad Tahbaz. He said they were moved from Tehran’s infamous Evin Prison to house arrest at an undisclosed hotel where they will be held under guard by Iranian officials. The fourth prisoner also was not identified.
At the State Department Thursday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomed the deal.
((Antony Blinken, Secretary of State))
“This is a positive step. But I don't want to get ahead of its conclusion because there's more work to be done to actually bring them home. My belief is that this is the beginning of the end of their nightmare.”
((NARRATOR))
Blinken strongly rejected any suggestion that the deal would give leaders in Tehran any relief from U.S. national security sanctions.
((Antony Blinken, Secretary of State))
“In any event, in any respect, Iran will not be receiving any sanctions relief. And in any incidents where we would engage in such efforts to bring Americans home from Iran, Iran’s own funds would be used and transferred to restricted accounts, such that the monies can only be used for humanitarian purposes, which, as you know, is permitted under our sanctions.”
((NARRATOR))
One expert praised the deal and said he is hopeful for his friend, Siamak Namazi, and the other U.S. citizens held in Iran.
[[Radio Intro: Jon Alterman is co-director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies Commission on Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention. He spoke to VOA via Zoom.]]
((Jon Alterman, Center for Strategic and International Studies)) ((Mandatory courtesy: Zoom ))
“I've known Siamak Namazi since the 1990s. He is not only a really decent person, but he is a person who has spent a tremendous amount of time trying to reduce tensions between the United States and Iran. And the fact that his reward for that was eight years in Evin Prison is just bitterly ironic. The fact that Siamak Namazi may soon be back with his family makes me absolutely delighted, as well as for all the other Americans who seem to be in the process of being released.”
((NARRATOR))
Another expert also welcomed the release of detained Americans, but said he is worried about the precedent the freeing of $6 billion of Iranian funds held in South Korea might have in the future.
[[Radio Intro: Richard Goldberg is a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. He spoke to VOA via Zoom.]]
((Richard Goldberg, Foundation for Defense of Democracies)) ((Mandatory courtesy: Zoom ))
“The question is, what are the implications of a perception of paying for the release of Americans? We have Evan Gershkovich right now held hostage by Russia. I would say the price tag on Evan Gershkovich just went up today significantly. We have an espionage law that was just enacted by the Chinese, with a State Department travel warning for those going to China that you could be taken hostage.”
((NARRATOR))
Goldberg referred to American journalist Gershkovich, who has spent more than three months in detention in Russia, held on espionage charges. The United States strongly denies the charges, saying he is being wrongfully detained and demanding his release.
((Cindy Saine, VOA News)
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
in Washington D. C.
Embargo DateAugust 10, 2023 17:25 EDT
Byline
Cindy Saine, for VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
