US delayed $400M payment to Iran to release US hostages
- 8 years ago
The State Department conceded for the first time on Thursday that it delayed making a $400 million payment to Iran for several hours in January “to retain maximum leverage” and ensure that three American prisoners were released the same day.
For months the Obama administration had maintained that the payment was part of a settlement over an old dispute and did not amount to a “ransom” for the release of the Americans.
But at a briefing on Thursday, John Kirby, the State Department spokesman, said the United States “took advantage of the leverage” to obtain the release of the hostages and “to make sure they got out safely and efficiently.”
For months the Obama administration had maintained that the payment was part of a settlement over an old dispute and did not amount to a “ransom” for the release of the Americans.
But at a briefing on Thursday, John Kirby, the State Department spokesman, said the United States “took advantage of the leverage” to obtain the release of the hostages and “to make sure they got out safely and efficiently.”