As Vienna talks continue, Iran claims it is ready to exchange prisoners with the US

Iran has reiterated its call for a prisoner swap with the United States, Reuters reported on Tuesday, May 27. The request comes as Iran and the United States are in talks with the remaining powers in the JCPOA on a possible return to the 2015 nuclear deal.

Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei said the Islamic Republic of Iran is seeking the release of those imprisoned in the United States for violating sanctions. He told reporters at a news conference that details of this will be announced after the efforts are finalized.

According to Reuters, Mr. Rabiei did not provide details of any prisoner exchanges that may be taking place, but said that there are more Iranians in American prisons than Americans in Iranian prisons.

The Islamic Republic of Iran, which holds a number of Iranian-Americans in its custody, has been repeatedly accused by human rights activists of detaining dual nationals with the aim of gaining privileges from other countries. On the other hand, officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran have repeatedly argued during their foreign trips that the government and the judiciary are separate in the Iranian system of governance and that the government has no authority in this regard. It is not clear how, despite this, the spokesman for Hassan Rouhani's government announces its readiness to exchange prisoners.

Source: Voice of America