Rouhani Confirms Tehran's Willingness To Negotiate Prisoner Exchange With Washington
Faizan Hashmi Published October 14, 2019 | 11:44 PM
Iran is ready to discuss the issue of prisoners exchange with the United States, President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday during a press conference, broadcast by Iranian television
"Under [US President Donald] Trump we once began negotiations but they turned out to be fruitless. [Trump] was ready for [exchange] during the second attempt, but he put preliminary conditions, which were unacceptable for us. The issue still remains on the table," Rouhani said.
Rouhani stressed the prisoners in question were arrested for very different reasons the US prisoners are held in Iran for national security violations, while the Iranian prisoners are kept in the United States for violating the US sanctions against Tehran, which the Iranian government considers illegitimate.
"[Iranians] done well by violating the US sanctions, since the US sanctions are illegal, unacceptable, despotic, and inhumane," Rouhani added.
He told reporters that Tehran was ready to discuss the prisoner swap issue provided Washington was willing to do so as well.
At least six American citizens are reportedly imprisoned in Iran, while the number of Iranian prisoners in the US reaches several dozens.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif made several attempts to negotiate prisoner swap in 2018 and 2019, which went nowhere as the sides failed to negotiate necessary conditions.
Relations between the United States and Iran are strained over several issues, including Washington's exit from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and it's claims that Tehran attacked oil facilities in Saudi Arabia this September.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
1st consignment of high breed cattle reaches from Brazil
PCB advertises for Red and White Ball cricket coaches
Pakistan, Djibouti agree to boost ties in diverse areas
International Day of Zero Waste being observed today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 30 March 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 30 March 2024
Liverpool target Xabi Alonso says staying as Leverkusen coach
Business collaboration way to strengthen UAE-Pakistan relations: Tirmizi
Ambassador, CEO European Asian Studies discuss relations
Moscow slams 'unacceptable Israeli' strikes on Syria
Amorim emerges as new front-runner after Alonso snubs Liverpool
Israeli strikes foe Hezbollah in Syria, Lebanon
More Stories From World
-
Noted writer Chi Pang-yuan dies in Taiwan
20 minutes ago -
China starts building phase II of spallation neutron source to help boost sci-tech innovation
20 minutes ago -
Germany's legal weed sparks calls to protect young people
30 minutes ago -
Madinah buses extend shuttle Public transportation service times during last ten days of Ramadan
30 minutes ago -
One dead due to stabbing in Australia's New South Wales
30 minutes ago -
Massive crowds fill Prophet's Mosque for Tarawih Prayer
40 minutes ago
-
Turki Al Alshikh unveils undercard boxing fight bout
50 minutes ago -
Seven injured when United Airlines flight diverted to New York due to turbulence
60 minutes ago -
Bulgaria, Romania take first steps into Europe's vast visa-free zone
60 minutes ago -
Grassroots revolution: the road to legal cannabis
1 hour ago -
Germany to legalise cannabis: what are the new rules?
1 hour ago -
Indonesia increases subsidized fertilizers to achieve food self-sufficiency
1 hour ago