JUDY WOODRUFF: The January release of American prisoners from Iran was accompanied by a $400 million payment, money the Islamic Republic had been owed for decades from a weapons sale that was never completed between the United States and Iran because of the revolution there. The Obama administration announced the payment at the time.
But, lately, critics have alleged that the payment’s proximity to the release amounted to a ransom, a charge the administration denies. But, yesterday, the State Department modified its response, saying the millions of dollars were used as — quote — “leverage” amid the negotiations over the prisoners.
Earlier …read more
Source: PBS
