Tag Archives: Tehran

Valerie Jarret: Giving up Iranian Assets

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Under Direction of Iranian-born Valerie Jarrett, Obama Considering Giving Iran Billions In Frozen Assets…

October 20, 2013

AP

AP

(NEWSMAX) — The Obama administration is weighing whether to offer Iran the chance to recoup billions of dollars in frozen overseas assets if it takes steps to scale back its nuclear program, U.S. officials and congressional aides said Friday. The proposal would face a skeptical Congress determined to make the end of Tehran’s uranium enrichment activity the condition for any sanctions relief.

The brainstorming comes after two days of nuclear negotiations between Iran and world powers ended this week in Geneva. The talks — the first since Iranian President Hassan Rouhani took office — ended on an upbeat note although it fell short of specific and concrete commitments by Iran to stop enriching uranium or ship out its stockpiles of higher-enriched uranium.

The proposal is one of several under consideration to spur negotiations to ensure Tehran can’t produce atomic weapons. Enriching uranium can produce material for peaceful energy purposes or nuclear arms.

Under the plan being weighed, Iran would be able to access money from oil sales overseas that it currently can only barter with because of U.S. and international sanctions. Senate aides put the total between $50 billion and $75 billion. It’s not clear what Iran would have to do in return to prompt the Obama administration to allow banks to release the money. Read more via Newsmax…

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Why are the Iranians Holding this former marine? Still?

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Two YEARS?  This administration has done nothing to get his release?  I don’t care what his name is.  He served in the United States Marine Corps.

September 11, 2013, 11:25 AM

American held in Iran writes letter to John Kerry describing “miserable prison conditions”

This undated file photo released by his family via FreeAmir.org shows Amir Hekmati.

This undated file photo released by his family via FreeAmir.org shows Amir Hekmati. / AP Photo/Hekmati family via FreeAmir.org, File

DETROIT A former U.S. Marine held in Iran for two years said in a letter to the U.S. secretary of state that he has endured “miserable prison conditions” and believes Tehran is holding him hostage for use in a possible prisoner exchange.

Amir Hekmati’s letter, handwritten and dated Sept. 1, was addressed to John Kerry and first published Wednesday by Britain’s Guardian newspaper.

Hekmati, 30, wrote that he has been “held on false charges based solely on confessions obtained by force, threats, miserable prison conditions and prolonged periods of solitary confinement.

“This is part of a propaganda and hostage-taking effort by Iranian intelligence to secure the release of Iranians abroad being held on security-related charges,” he wrote in the letter that the Guardian said was smuggled from the prison.

Family spokesman Greg Romano told The Associated Press that Hekmati’s sister, Sarah Hekmati, authenticated the letter, confirming that the handwriting is her brother’s as is the letter’s tone. Romano provided the AP with a copy of the letter.

The AP sent an email seeking comment from the State Department on Wednesday.

Hekmati has been detained in Iran on what the U.S. says are false espionage charges since his 2011 arrest. Hekmati’s family says he traveled to Iran to visit his grandmothers.

The letter goes on to say that while Hekmati and his family “have suffered greatly,” he “will accept nothing but” an unconditional release.

The State Department late last month repeated its call for Tehran to release Hekmati and two other Americans. It said the U.S. requested assistance from new President Hasan Rouhani — viewed as more moderate than his predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

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