Arab and International News Outlets Follow US-Iran Prisoner Swap, Highlight US President's Appreciation for HH the Amir's Efforts

Doha, September 19 (QNA) - The release of the five American citizens detained in Iranian prisons, in exchange for the release of a number of Iranians detained in the United States received the widespread attention of Arab and international media outlets, highlighting the gratitude of HE the President of the friendly United States of America President Joe Biden, to HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, for the effective role that His Highness played in the release process of the American citizens. The German Press Agency (dpa) conveyed the American President's gratitude for the tireless efforts made by US partners both at home and abroad in order to help it achieve this result, for which President Biden extended his special thanks to HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and the Sultan of Oman Sultan Haitham bin Tarik for their help in reaching this agreement over the period of many long months of difficult diplomacy based on principles. In turn, Reuters highlighted President Biden's thanks to HH the Amir, assessing that this agreement would remove a major source of tension between Washington and Tehran, noting that it was a Qatari plane that transferred the five Americans and two of their relatives out of Tehran after the two sides confirmed the transfer of USD 6 billion from South Korea to Doha. For his part, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said that Tehran's release of the five Americans detained in Iran was a purely humanitarian act, highlighting that they left Iran under an agreement brokered by Qatar, which includes the release of Iranian funds in South Korea amounting to USD 6 billion. In a statement broadcast by the Iranian Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the gratitude of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the government of Qatar for playing an active role in the process of transferring financial resources and exchanging detainees. The Ministry also appreciated the valuable efforts made by the Sultanate of Oman in strengthening this process, as well as the cooperation of the Swiss government in facilitating the operation. In turn, the South Korean Yonhap News Agency delivered the Korean government's special appreciation to Qatar and Switzerland for their constructive role in resolving the issue, noting that prior to the release, Seoul transferred USD 6 billion from South Korea to bank accounts in the State of Qatar, via Switzerland. Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported that HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani said on his account on (X) that the State of Qatar continues to contribute to everything that would enhance the security of the region, extending his thanks to both parties to the agreement and to the partners who contributed to its success, especially the Sultanate of Oman. Russian Sputnik news agency reported the statements of HE the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi to Qatar News Agency (QNA) in which he said that the Iranian funds frozen in South Korea were transferred to Doha as part of the implementation of the agreement between the US and Iran, stressing that the State of Qatar will begin activating the humanitarian banking channel. His Excellency added that the implementation of the agreement is indicative of Qatar's status as a reliable international partner and that this agreement is yet a new success added to Qatari diplomacy's list of successes, expressing his country's hope that this agreement would lead to greater understandings, including a return to the nuclear agreement. US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said that released funds will be managed by the Qatari banking sector and that Iran can request to use these funds in trade for humanitarian and agricultural purposes, explaining that the US will cooperate with Qatar in handling exchange requests with concerned companies and delivering the goods to Iran. Kirby indicated in an interview with the US television network CNN that the Ministry of the Treasury and the State of Qatar will carefully monitor these funds and the way they are used, and that they will give the final approval for every expenditure of these funds. For his part, Director of the Iran Program at the Middle East Institute in Washington Alex Vatanka pointed out that the US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen commented on the deal by saying that she will supervise the way this amount is spent, to ensure that Iran will only use it for humanitarian purposes. Vatanka added in an interview with the Saudi Asharq that Qatar wants to ensure the soundness of its position as a mediator, as it seeks to bridge the gap between Iran and the United States. The UK BBC network stated in a report that the agreement comes after months of indirect talks mediated by Qatar, which had begun in February 2022, and considering that the State of Qatar hopes that this rare cooperation would help stimulate progress in other long-term disputes, such as the 2015 nuclear agreement, considered by many to be dead, following Former US President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the agreement five years ago. (QNA)