Iran: US canceled prisoner swap before agreed date

(14 Feb 2022) Iran claimed Monday that the United States cancelled a prisoner swap deal a night before the agreed date. "Unfortunately, a deal (for prisoner swap) was once achieved but the American side went back on its word on the night before the agreed date," said Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesman for Iran's foreign minister. He did not elaborate when the agreement was made or when it was supposed to be implemented. The US did not immediately acknowledge this. Khatibzadeh said a prisoner swap was being discussed in parallel with nuclear talks in Vienna. Prisoner swaps between the US and Iran are not uncommon and both countries in recent years have routinely sought the release of detainees. But any movement between them is particularly sensitive as the Joe Biden administration looks to restart nuclear talks. A 2015 atomic accord between the nations included prisoner exchanges. Last year the State Department confirmed "indirect but active" talks with Iran over prisoners had been going on for some time. Iran and world powers including America are discussing revival of a 2015 nuclear deal although the talks remain inconclusive after months. The United States has participated indirectly in the talks because it withdrew from the accord in 2018 under then President Donald Trump. Biden has signaled that he wants to rejoin the deal. The accord, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, granted Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...