Freed American Prisoners in Iran Arrive in Germany
After many years of being imprisoned in Iran, four Americans detainees were finally released, with the three of them already out of the country.
The prisoners were Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati, Christian Pastor Saeed Abedini and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari. All of them except Roodsari chose to return to the United States.
In a report by A Times, the prisoners left Tehran last Sunday, when a prisoner swap negotiation between U.S. and Iran followed over the lifting of nuclear sanctions in the country.
According to CNN, the three prisoners arrived on a flight at Ramstein Air Base in Germany for a scheduled medical check-up. The trio also made a stop in Geneva, Switzerland last Sunday that showed Rezaian standing outside a plane and talking to U.S. officials.
As for Roodsari, he decided to stay in Iran according to government officials. They added that his decision is of his own making and stated that, "We don't make that judgment."
President Obama even personally called Naghmeh Abedini, the wife of the pastor Saeed, which garnered intense gratitude and praise from her family.
On the other hand, The Washington Post's executive director even went personally to Germany to meet with journalist Rezaian.
They asked him about his condition, which Rezaian happily answered and said, "I'm a hell of a lot better than I was 48 hours ago."
Furthermore, another prisoner in the country named Matthew Trevithick was also released, although U.S. officials noted that it is not part of the negotiated deal between the U.S. and Iran.
Iran President Hassan Rouhani commended the negotiations that took place and said that the deal between the two countries is a "model to resolve regional issues."
Once traditionally enemies, the thawing relationship between Iran and United States comes as good news for everyone. However, the negotiations between the two countries may cause problems with Saudi Arabia -- a long-time U.S. ally.
It does not help that President Rouhani even boldly declared Saudi Arabia as the source of their problems with the United States.
Add to the fact that just weeks ago, Iran accused Saudi of bombing it' embassy to Yemen with fighter jets. However, several news sites such as the Associated Press reported that the embassy appears to have no damage at all, so it's hard to pinpoint where Iran's claim is coming from.
As for Saudi Arabia, Gen. Ahmad Asseri said that they are conducting their own private investigations regarding Iran's claim.
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