‘Active negotiations’ continue with Iran on prisoner swap: White House

WASHINGTON, DC - The United States is in “active negotiations” with Iran to return five American prisoners home as part of a deal but it remains firm in its stance against Tehran’s sale of drones to Russia and harassment of warships in the Gulf. 

Five American nationals were released from Iranian prison last week and were placed under house arrest. Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz, Emad Shargi, and two others who chose to have their identities concealed are the ones involved in the deal.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told Rudaw during a press briefing on Wednesday that Washington is in “active negotiations… to get those Americans home,” without elaborating whether talks have taken place on other issues. 

“I’m not going to say anything up here that’s going to put those negotiations at jeopardy, but that’s what we’re talking to the Iranians about, getting these Americans home safe to their families where they belong,” he stated. 

“Moving our people to house arrest is a positive step, but they are not yet home,” US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told reporters on Tuesday. 

The prisoner exchange deal has been a major point contention in US-Iran talks, particularly since Washington withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018.

“Nothing about our overall approach to Iran has changed.  We continue to pursue a strategy of deterrence, of pressure, and diplomacy,” he added. Kirby echoed similar remarks, emphasizing that Washington continues to oppose Iran “destabilizing activities” in the region.

Kirby expressed his hope that Tehran understands that “it is unacceptable” for them to provide drones to Russia “to kill Ukrainians”, to continue its support for proxy groups in the Middle East, and to attack US ships in the Gulf. 

Recent reports emerged suggesting that Iran has slowed down its nuclear enrichment and that this may be a result of negotiations underway between Washington and Tehran. Kirby stated that he cannot confirm the reports on Iran’s uranium enrichment levels. “If that’s happened, that’s a good thing”, he said. 

“That doesn’t mean we are wiping our hands of all the other destabilizing activities,” he clarified. 

Iranian-made Shahed-136/131 drones have been repeatedly used by Russia in its attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, leading to a barrage of international sanctions and condemnations on Iran.

The US has also recently increased its military deployment in the Gulf to protect its vessels from Iranian harassment.