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14 Testy Months Behind U.S. Prisoner Swap With Iran 14 Testy Months Behind U.S. Prisoner Swap With Iran
(35 minutes later)
WASHINGTON — For a year, Obama administration officials had been meeting in secret with Iranian counterparts, seeking to free Americans imprisoned in the Islamic republic. Finally last fall, a deal for a prisoner release seemed all but finalized.WASHINGTON — For a year, Obama administration officials had been meeting in secret with Iranian counterparts, seeking to free Americans imprisoned in the Islamic republic. Finally last fall, a deal for a prisoner release seemed all but finalized.
But the Iranians arrived at their latest clandestine session in a Geneva hotel suite with a whole new proposal that insisted on the release of dozens of Iranians held by the United States in American prisons, essentially returning to initial demands that had long since been rejected. But the Iranians arrived at the latest clandestine session in a Geneva hotel suite with a whole new proposal that insisted on the release of dozens of Iranians held in American prisons, essentially returning to initial demands that had long since been rejected.
The Americans were flabbergasted. “We’ve already talked about this,” said Brett McGurk, the lead negotiator. But the Iranians were adamant, according to American officials informed about the meeting. Something back home had changed, part of the continuing battle inside Iran over how to deal with the United States. Someone in power in Tehran, it seemed, did not want a deal after all.The Americans were flabbergasted. “We’ve already talked about this,” said Brett McGurk, the lead negotiator. But the Iranians were adamant, according to American officials informed about the meeting. Something back home had changed, part of the continuing battle inside Iran over how to deal with the United States. Someone in power in Tehran, it seemed, did not want a deal after all.
And so Mr. McGurk and his team picked up their papers and stormed out, putting an abrupt end to the meeting. Mr. McGurk’s interlocutors had come from Iran’s state security apparatus, a group that had barely, if ever, met Americans, much less negotiated with them. They had none of the well-traveled, English-speaking demeanor of the two senior Iranians who had been negotiating the larger nuclear deal with the United States for more than two years. And so Mr. McGurk and his team picked up their papers and walked out, putting an abrupt end to the meeting. Mr. McGurk’s interlocutors had come from Iran’s state security apparatus, a group that had barely, if ever, met Americans, much less negotiated with them. They did not have the well-traveled, English-speaking demeanor of the two senior Iranians who had been negotiating the larger nuclear deal with the United States for more than two years.
Eventually, the deal got put back together by Secretary of State John Kerry and the Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif. Five Americans left Iran over the weekend in exchange for seven Iranians freed by the United States. Eventually, the deal got put back together by Secretary of State John Kerry and the American-educated Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif. Five Americans were released in Iran over the weekend in exchange for seven Iranians freed by the United States.
But it took 14 months of turbulent talks punctuated by high diplomatic drama and multiple near-collapses that paralleled the final year of nuclear negotiations.But it took 14 months of turbulent talks punctuated by high diplomatic drama and multiple near-collapses that paralleled the final year of nuclear negotiations.
Along the way, Iranian negotiators berated their American counterparts over historic grievances dating to the 1953 C.I.A.-backed coup. And, as negotiations reached their conclusion, they even quibbled on Sunday over who would be allowed on the flight out of Tehran.Along the way, Iranian negotiators berated their American counterparts over historic grievances dating to the 1953 C.I.A.-backed coup. And, as negotiations reached their conclusion, they even quibbled on Sunday over who would be allowed on the flight out of Tehran.
But the Iranians were not the only ones grappling with divisions within their government back home about a possible deal. The Iranians were not the only ones grappling with divisions within their government about a possible deal. In Washington, the Obama administration was engaged in a vigorous debate about whether to trade Iranian prisoners and, if so, which ones, with Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch objecting to any deal that equated innocent Americans seized for political gains with Iranian criminals indicted or convicted under Western legal traditions.
In Washington, the Obama administration engaged in a vigorous debate about whether to trade Iranian prisoners and, if so, which ones, with Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch objecting to a deal that equated innocent Americans seized for political gains with Iranian criminals indicted or convicted under western legal traditions.
In the end, officials said President Obama decided that to spare the Americans years — if not life — in an Iranian prison, he would make what he called a “one-time gesture” by releasing Iranians who had been accused or convicted of violating sanctions that he was lifting anyway as part of the nuclear agreement.In the end, officials said President Obama decided that to spare the Americans years — if not life — in an Iranian prison, he would make what he called a “one-time gesture” by releasing Iranians who had been accused or convicted of violating sanctions that he was lifting anyway as part of the nuclear agreement.
Even then, there was a last-minute dispute on the airport tarmac — what one American official said “was like a scene out of ‘Argo’ ” — as Iran refused to allow the mother and wife of one of the prisoners, Jason Rezaian of The Washington Post, to leave with him. Even then, there was a last-minute dispute on the airport tarmac — what one American official said “was like a scene out of ‘Argo’ “ — as Iran refused to allow the mother and wife of one of the prisoners, Jason Rezaian of The Washington Post, to leave with him.
Only after Mr. Kerry made an urgent phone call to the Iranian foreign minister did the plane receive permission to take off with all of its passengers. Only after Mr. Kerry made an urgent phone call to the Iranian foreign minister did the plane receive permission to take off with all the passengers.
But Republican critics, while celebrating the release of the Americans, questioned the cost. “I think it’s a very dangerous precedent,” Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, a leading Republican presidential candidate, said on “Fox News Sunday.” “The result of this, every bad actor on earth has been told to go capture an American. If you want terrorists out of jail, capture an American and President Obama is in the let’s-make-a-deal business.” Republican critics, while celebrating the release of the Americans, questioned the cost. “I think it’s a very dangerous precedent,” Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, a leading Republican presidential candidate, said on “Fox News Sunday.” “The result of this, every bad actor on earth has been told to go capture an American. If you want terrorists out of jail, capture an American and President Obama is in the let’s-make-a-deal business.”
Mr. Obama authorized a secret diplomatic channel to Iran to negotiate for their release. Mr. McGurk, a top State Department official who had just brokered the departure of Iraq’s problematic prime minister, was tapped in October 2014 to lead the new talks with Iran. Mr. Obama authorized a secret diplomatic channel to Iran to negotiate for their release even as he was seeking a deal on Tehran’s nuclear program. Mr. McGurk, a top State Department official who had just brokered the departure of Iraq’s problematic prime minister, was tapped in October 2014 to lead the new talks with Iran.
Meeting in Geneva, Mr. McGurk and his team sat down with their Iranian counterparts for the first time in November 2014, according to an account provided by several American officials in exchange for anonymity. Meeting in Geneva, Mr. McGurk’s team sat down with their Iranian counterparts for the first time in November 2014, according to an account provided by several American officials on the condition of anonymity.
On their list were Mr. Rezaian, who was arrested in July 2014; Amir Hekmati, a Marine veteran from Michigan seized in August 2011 while visiting relatives; and Saeed Abedini, a pastor from Idaho imprisoned since July 2012. The Americans also bargained for the release of Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari, a businessman whose case had not been public until this weekend. On their list were Mr. Rezaian, who was arrested in July 2014; Amir Hekmati, a Marine veteran from Michigan seized in August 2011 while visiting relatives; and Saeed Abedini, a pastor from Idaho imprisoned since 2012. The Americans also bargained for the release of Nosratollah Khosravi, a businessman whose case had not been public until this weekend.
While the two sides met every month or six weeks, not much progress was made until the nuclear agreement was finalized in July. After that, momentum built to reach an accommodation. American entreaties for better treatment for the prisoners were met with results. While the two sides met every month or six weeks, not much progress was made until the nuclear agreement was finalized in July. After that, momentum built to reach an accommodation. American entreaties for better treatment for the prisoners got some results.
To avoid the appearance of caving to the Americans, the Iranians proposed trading the prisoners for about 40 people held not just in United States custody but elsewhere, too. The Americans quickly rejected that, but they took home the idea of a swap.To avoid the appearance of caving to the Americans, the Iranians proposed trading the prisoners for about 40 people held not just in United States custody but elsewhere, too. The Americans quickly rejected that, but they took home the idea of a swap.
In the White House and especially at the Justice Department, some officials were leery of going down that road. This was not the same as the Cold War when spies were traded for spies. Mr. Rezaian and the others were held unjustly, Ms. Lynch and other officials argued, and should be released accordingly. In the White House and especially at the Justice Department, some officials were leery of going down that road. This was not the same as the Cold War when spies were traded for spies. Mr. Rezaian and the others were being held unjustly, Ms. Lynch and other officials argued, and should be released accordingly.
No one advocated for releasing terrorists or others accused of violent crimes, but Mr. Obama came to the conclusion that he would be willing to swap some who were targeted for economic crimes. The Iranians came up with a list of 19, and each case was closely examined by Ms. Lynch’s department and other agencies. No one proposed releasing convicted terrorists or others accused of violent crimes, but Mr. Obama came to the conclusion that he would be willing to swap some Iranians who were targeted for economic crimes. The Iranians came up with a list of 19, and each case was closely examined by Ms. Lynch’s department and other agencies.
Objections to some on the list whittled it down to one Iranian and six Iranian-Americans charged or convicted of violating sanctions. Objections to some names whittled the list down to one Iranian and six Iranian-Americans charged or convicted of violating sanctions.
By the time Mr. Kerry met with Mr. Zarif on Oct. 29 in Geneva on the sidelines of talks about Syria, the two sides seemed close. The blowup a few weeks later when Mr. McGurk’s team met again with its opposite left some Americans worried that the whole effort would fall apart. Mr. Kerry pulled Mr. Zarif aside again in New York during a Syria-related session at the United Nations and the two managed to get back to an accord. By the time Mr. Kerry met with Mr. Zarif on Oct. 29 on the sidelines of talks about Syria, the two sides seemed close. The blowup came a few weeks later when Mr. McGurk’s team met again with its opposite, leaving some Americans worried that the whole effort would fall apart. Mr. Kerry pulled Mr. Zarif aside during another Syria-related session in December and the two managed to get back to an accord.
The progress came at the same time the Iranians were making speedy progress toward complying with the terms of the nuclear deal by disabling a plutonium reactor, turning off centrifuges and shipping enriched uranium out of the country. The breakthrough came at the same time the Iranians were making speedy progress toward complying with the terms of the nuclear deal by disabling a plutonium reactor, turning off centrifuges and shipping enriched uranium out of the country.
American officials said the timing was not deliberate, but rather a function of improved relations between two sides that each felt eager to sweep longstanding issues out of the way at last. But last-minute obstacles kept threatening the agreement.American officials said the timing was not deliberate, but rather a function of improved relations between two sides that each felt eager to sweep longstanding issues out of the way at last. But last-minute obstacles kept threatening the agreement.
In early December, Iran arrested Matthew Trevithick, a 30-year-old American studying Farsi in Tehran. With a deal nearly at hand, American negotiators told the Iranians that they expected him to be released, but would not include him in their talks because they feared Tehran would then demand the release of more Iranians. In December, Iran arrested Matthew Trevithick, 30, an American studying Farsi in Tehran. With a deal nearly at hand, the Americans told the Iranians that they expected him to be released, but would not include him in their talks because they feared Tehran would then demand the release of more Iranians.
Then last Tuesday, just as the nuclear and prisoner deals were heading to finality, two United States Navy patrol boats drifted into Iranian waters and 10 American crew members were detained. American officials worried it would blow up the deal, but tried to pretend it would not. Some administration officials warned that, as a political matter, the president would not be able to lift sanctions on Iran if the sailors were still in custody. Then last Tuesday, just as the nuclear and prisoner deals were heading to finality, two United States Navy patrol boats drifted into Iranian waters and 10 American sailors were detained. American officials worried it would blow up the deal, but tried to pretend it would not. Some officials warned that, as a political matter, the president would not be able to lift sanctions on Iran if the sailors were still in custody.
Mr. Kerry called Mr. Zarif repeatedly, and the sailors were released the next morning, which the Americans took as a sign that Iran really wanted to conclude both deals. The State Department began calling families to let them know talks were going well.Mr. Kerry called Mr. Zarif repeatedly, and the sailors were released the next morning, which the Americans took as a sign that Iran really wanted to conclude both deals. The State Department began calling families to let them know talks were going well.
The two sides decided to announce the prisoner swap along with the carrying out of the nuclear deal. Mr. Trevithick, although not technically part of the deal, was released Saturday and immediately left the country on a commercial flight. Mr. Khosravi-Roodsari opted to stay in Tehran after Swiss consular officers made sure that was his choice. The other three were taken to the airport to leave on a Swiss plane. The two sides decided to announce the prisoner swap along with the carrying out of the nuclear deal. Mr. Trevithick, although not technically part of the deal, was released Saturday and immediately left the country on a commercial flight. Mr. Khosravi opted to stay in Tehran after Swiss consular officers made sure that was his choice. The other three were taken to the airport to leave on a Swiss plane.
But even then, more last-minute disagreements bubbled up. One was over the wording of documents related to the nuclear agreement that held up the announcements. At 9 p.m. Saturday in Vienna, Mr. Kerry met in his hotel with Mr. Zarif and the European Union representative and had the French foreign minister on the secretary’s cellphone. But even then, more eleventh-hour disagreements bubbled up. One was over the wording of documents related to the nuclear agreement that held up the announcements. At 9 p.m. Saturday in Vienna, Mr. Kerry met in his hotel with Mr. Zarif and the European Union representative and had the French foreign minister on his cellphone.
Mr. Kerry held the phone up so that various participants could offer their adjustments to the wording. Finally about 9:30 p.m., everyone agreed it was done.Mr. Kerry held the phone up so that various participants could offer their adjustments to the wording. Finally about 9:30 p.m., everyone agreed it was done.
After Mr. Zarif and the European Union representative made their announcement, Mr. Kerry got word from Geneva that there was a hitch releasing the remaining three American prisoners. Iran would not allow Mr. Rezaian’s wife and mother onto the plane.After Mr. Zarif and the European Union representative made their announcement, Mr. Kerry got word from Geneva that there was a hitch releasing the remaining three American prisoners. Iran would not allow Mr. Rezaian’s wife and mother onto the plane.
Mr. Kerry called Mr. Zarif as the Iranian headed to the airport. “Javad, look, it’s part of the agreement,” Mr. Kerry told him, as he later recounted to reporters on his plane. Mr. Zarif, he said, assigned four people to fix the problem.Mr. Kerry called Mr. Zarif as the Iranian headed to the airport. “Javad, look, it’s part of the agreement,” Mr. Kerry told him, as he later recounted to reporters on his plane. Mr. Zarif, he said, assigned four people to fix the problem.
By then, the families were edgy with anticipation, many rushing to fly to Germany to meet their liberated relatives. Mr. Obama began calling them to let them know. He reached Sarah Hekmati, a sister of Mr. Hekmati, while she and her husband, Dr. Ramy Kurdi, were driving to Detroit Metropolitan Airport.By then, the families were edgy with anticipation, many rushing to fly to Germany to meet their liberated relatives. Mr. Obama began calling them to let them know. He reached Sarah Hekmati, a sister of Mr. Hekmati, while she and her husband, Dr. Ramy Kurdi, were driving to Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
Later she got a call from her brother.Later she got a call from her brother.
Her first words to him were, “Am I talking to a free man here?”Her first words to him were, “Am I talking to a free man here?”
She was.She was.