WASHINGTON — Iran has transferred several US citizens held in Evin Prison to house arrest as part of a long-awaited deal that would involve Tehran gaining limited access to frozen funds and a release of prisoners on both sides.
A spokesperson for the Iranian mission said the Americans' transfer was part of a “humanitarian cooperation agreement” mediated by a third-party government.
“Iran and the US have agreed to reciprocally release and pardon five prisoners," the mission confirmed to Al-Monitor on Thursday. "The transfer of these prisoners to out of prison marks a significant initial step in the implementation of this agreement."
Dual nationals Morad Tahbaz, Siamak Namazi and Emad Shargi were moved from Evin Prison in the Iranian capital, Tehran, Thursday to house arrest at a hotel, according to a statement by the Namazi family’s lawyer, Jared Genser.
