US and Iran free prisoner in rare cooperation act

The United States and Iran each freed a prisoner on Saturday in a rare act of cooperation between two longtime foes whose ties have worsened since President Donald Trump took office.

POLITICO reports that the release of Xiyue Wang and Masoud Soleimani, an Iranian held in the U.S. on charges of violating American sanctions on Iran, comes at a moment of exceptionally high tensions between Iran and the United States. It’s unlikely to lead to any thaw in the relationship, but it could offer some hope for other Americans imprisoned in Iran.

“Taken during the Obama Administration (despite $150 Billion gift), returned during the Trump Administration,” Trump tweeted. “Thank you to Iran on a very fair negotiation. See, we can make a deal together!”

Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, meanwhile, tweeted out a picture of himself and Soleimani in a plane, with the phrase “going home.” He also confirmed Wang’s release in another tweet.

Via POLITICO

 

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