Iran may free American citizens soon

As the reports claim Iran may be able to use the freed money to buy food, medicine, etc. amongst others. Similarly, the country may also meet other humanitarian needs as it is facing a huge inflation crisis.

According to the reports published in various global media outlets, the US government and the Iranian regime are in an indirect negotiation to swap prisoners. Currently, there are at least three US citizens who have been captured by the Iranian authorities. With American citizens Siamak Namazi, Emad Shargi and Morad Tahbaz in its possession, the Iranian govt is trying to get some financial deals that could help its drowning economy recover a little.

The reports claim that the two countries playing a vital role in this mission are Qatar and the UK. They are helping Iran and the US strike a deal that could help the American citizens get freed. NBC TV speculates that as a part of the deal, the US could allow Iran to get access to its billions of dollars which was parked in South Korea. This would mean the US sanctions may be eased to give Iran some breather.

Iran has for long been asking for easing up of the economic sanctions imposed by the US-led alliance. With the swapping of prisoners, Iran may receive some relaxations and access to the funds that were frozen in South Korea which could then be used for limited purposes like buying food, medicine, etc.

Similarly, the Islamic country may also meet other humanitarian needs as it is facing a huge inflation crisis. Unemployment rate has gone significantly up and the latest round of protests have made sure no fresh investments come to Iran.

Discussions with allies sensitive: US

It's quite interesting to note that stories on possible prisoner swapping between the US and Iran are not new. In fact, similar stories were making the headlines earlier last year. News agency Reuters had then reported that a regional country mediated between the two countries for the "simultaneous release of prisoners."

The US has been seeing the safe and prompt returns of its three citizens for quite some time. However, as it appears Iran would relent only if it receives something that helps it recover from the deep economic crisis. Although Iran got some breather after Donald Trump was ousted, Joe Biden has not exactly helped Iran though he has been pro-deal whereas Trump had cancelled all the mollycoddling of Iran.

However, since protests erupted in Iran and later when it supplied drones to Russia, even Biden could not muster much courage to offer any deal to the beleaguered country.