U.S. Transferred $1.3 Billion More in Cash to Iran After Initial $400 Million Payment
First $400 million coincided with Iran’s release of American prisoners and was used as leverage, officials have acknowledged.
The Obama administration followed up a planeload of $400 million in cash sent to Iran in January with two more such shipments in the next 19 days, totaling another $1.3 billion, according to congressional officials briefed by the U.S. State, Treasury and Justice departments.
The cash payments—made in Swiss francs, euros and other currencies—settled a decades-old dispute over a failed arms deal dating back to 1979. U.S. officials have acknowledged the payment of the first $400 million coincided with Iran’s release of [American hostages.]
