Officials refute claim US paid Iran $400m for release of American prisoners

US officials confirmed on Wednesday (3 August) that the Obama administration secretly arranged to deliver $400m (£300m) in cash to Iran the same day the country released four American hostages and formally implemented the nuclear deal. However, both the State Department and the White House rejected rumours that the payment was ransom for the US prisoners.

 

The payment, which was approved by President Barack Obama, was the first payment in a $1.7bn (£1.28bn) settlement to resolve claims over a failed arms deal during the time of the Shah, CNN reported. Iran sought more then $10bn in arbitration at an international tribunal at The Hague.

 

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