Freed Americans arrive in US after Iran prisoner swap

Former detainees embrace loved ones after landing at airport in Virginia on Tuesday morning

US Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens greets freed Americans Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz and Emad Shargi who were released in a prisoner swap deal with Iran, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Reuters

Family members embrace freed Americans Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz and Emad Shargi — as well as two returnees whose names have not yet been released by the U. S. government — who were released in a prisoner swap deal between U. S and Iran, as they arrive at Davison Army Airfield at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, U. S. , September 19, 2023. REUTERS / Jonathan Ernst / Pool

The repatriated Americans had been designated as wrongfully detained by the US government. Reuters

They served time in Iran's Evin prison but were placed on house arrest when Tehran and Washington reached a deal. Reuters

The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced the US nationals would be released early Monday morning. Reuters

The Americans were freed as part of a wider agreement that includes the US unfreezing $6 billion in Iranian funds. AP

A family member embraces Mr Namazi who was imprisoned for almost eight years. Reuters

Coming off the plane, the returning Americans were embraced by family and friends with smiles, laughs, and visible emotion. AP

The former prisoners first flew in a Qatari government aircraft from Iran to Doha before continuing to the US. AP

In a statement on Monday, President Joe Biden said, "Today, five innocent Americans who were imprisoned in Iran are finally coming home." Reuters

Five Americans who were freed as part of a prisoner swap with Iran returned home early on Tuesday following a choreographed exchange that included Washington unfreezing $6 billion in Iranian funds.

The plane landed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Siamak Namazi was the first of the freed Americans off the aircraft.

"The nightmare is finally over," the Associated Press reported his brother Babak as saying at the airport.

Mr Namazi was held at Evin prison for over eight years, a period of time that he characterised as "interminable anguish". His father Baquer, who was also formerly detained by Iran, also embraced him.

Morad Tahbaz, Emad Sharghi and two other American citizens who have not yet been named were also released.

Mr Namazi and the other former detainees also posed for a group photograph with their loved ones and shouted: "Freedom".

The five Americans left Iran on Monday for Doha, where they were greeted at the airport by US ambassador to Qatar Timmy Davis.

US President Joe Biden welcomed the return of the Americans in a statement, while also announcing new sanctions against Tehran on Monday.

"As we celebrate the return of these Americans, we also remember those who did not return," he said, mentioning former FBI agent Robert Levinson, who Washington assumes is dead.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who is in New York for the UN General Assembly, said the prisoner swap was a "humanitarian action" and opened the door for further co-operation.

"It can certainly be a step based upon which in the future other humanitarian actions can be taken," he said.

The White House maintains that the $6 billion in frozen funds is being transferred from South Korean accounts to restricted accounts in Qatar. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Iran could request withdrawals for humanitarian purposes, which will be monitored by the US.