By — Jon Gambrell, Associated Press Jon Gambrell, Associated Press By — Matthew Lee, Associated Press Matthew Lee, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/iran-moves-5-iranian-american-prisoners-to-house-arrest-u-s-based-lawyer-says Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Iran moves 5 Iranian-American prisoners to house arrest, U.S.-based lawyer says World Aug 10, 2023 12:49 PM EDT DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has put five Iranian-American prisoners to house arrest, a U.S.-based lawyer said Thursday, a move coming as Tehran for months has suggested a prisoner swap was possible between it and Washington. Iran did not immediately acknowledge the move. WATCH: Families of Americans detained in Iran pressure White House to bring loved ones home The move comes amid months of heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S. A major American military buildup in the Persian Gulf is underway, with the possibility of armed U.S. troops boarding and guarding commercial ships traveling through the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of all oil traded passes. It remains unclear whether the Iranian-Americans’ transfers reflect significant progress in a possible prisoner swap between the two countries. Iran in past months has overstated progress in talks, likely conducted with mediation from Oman and Qatar, on a potential trade. The U.S. in March called remarks by Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian that a deal for a swap was close a “cruel lie.” U.S.-based lawyer Jared Genser acknowledged the move, identifying three of the prisoners as Siamak Namazi, Emad Shargi, and Morad Tahbaz. Genser did not identify the fourth and fifth prisoners. The U.S. State Department declined to immediately comment. Lee reported from Washington. This is a developing story and will be updated. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Jon Gambrell, Associated Press Jon Gambrell, Associated Press Jon Gambrell, the news director for the Gulf and Iran for The Associated Press, has reported from each of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Iran and other locations across the world since joining the AP in 2006. By — Matthew Lee, Associated Press Matthew Lee, Associated Press
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has put five Iranian-American prisoners to house arrest, a U.S.-based lawyer said Thursday, a move coming as Tehran for months has suggested a prisoner swap was possible between it and Washington. Iran did not immediately acknowledge the move. WATCH: Families of Americans detained in Iran pressure White House to bring loved ones home The move comes amid months of heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S. A major American military buildup in the Persian Gulf is underway, with the possibility of armed U.S. troops boarding and guarding commercial ships traveling through the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of all oil traded passes. It remains unclear whether the Iranian-Americans’ transfers reflect significant progress in a possible prisoner swap between the two countries. Iran in past months has overstated progress in talks, likely conducted with mediation from Oman and Qatar, on a potential trade. The U.S. in March called remarks by Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian that a deal for a swap was close a “cruel lie.” U.S.-based lawyer Jared Genser acknowledged the move, identifying three of the prisoners as Siamak Namazi, Emad Shargi, and Morad Tahbaz. Genser did not identify the fourth and fifth prisoners. The U.S. State Department declined to immediately comment. Lee reported from Washington. This is a developing story and will be updated. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now