A bipartisan group of US lawmakers on Thursday said there must be no return to the nuclear deal with Iran until the country frees all Americans it is currently detaining.
Ted Deutch, a Democratic congressman, and his Republican colleague French Hill made the remarks during a roundtable discussion with the families of current and former detainees.
They said the issue must be a priority in any negotiations to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which put curbs on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.
“The issue of returning American hostages and unlawful detainees must be at the top of the agenda,” said Mr Deutch.
“Every American held in Iran must return home immediately.”
He said no sanctions relief related to the deal should be granted to Iran while it holds US citizens.
“Iran cannot financially benefit from a nuclear agreement while still actively holding Americans,” Mr Deutch added.
Asked by The National if he has received any assurances from US President Joe Biden's administration and the Iran negotiating team on this matter, Mr Deutch said that he relayed his position to the White House in a call on Thursday.
“This is a priority. I have made it clear to them this morning,” he said.
Other members of Congress participating in the event — including Sheila Jackson Lee, Tom Suozzi, Colin Allred and Haley Stevens — agreed with Mr Deutch.
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe speaks for first time since release from Iran - video
Ms Lee, a Democrat, described the practice as “human terrorism”.
Iran currently has four US citizens in custody: Siamak and Baquer Namazi, Emad Shargi and Morad Tahbaz.
In 2020, the US concluded that former FBI agent Bob Levinson, the longest-held hostage in American history, is likely to have died in Iranian custody.
His daughter, Sarah Moriarty, speaking at the same event on Thursday, said the family is seeking help from the Biden team in obtaining definitive confirmation from Iran on Mr Levinson’s death and any other information that could bring the family closure.
Ms Moriarty told The National that the administration told her that the hostage issue is “closely tied” to nuclear deal negotiations, but her family was given no guarantees of receiving full closure.
Mr Sharghi's sister, Neda Sharghi, said she had hoped to see a stronger push from the administration and Congress for her brother's release, while Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese-American former prisoner in Iran, stressed that the JCPOA negotiations should not come at the expense of US detainees.
Attempts to return to the nuclear deal have stalled following Iran’s response to the US-European Union proposal two weeks ago. It is unclear when those negotiations may resume.
A State Department official told The National on Thursday that Mr Biden "is deeply committed to ensuring all US citizens who are wrongfully detained overseas return home safely".
The official said negotiations over the fate of the US detainees are treated with "the utmost urgency" by the administration and Iran was urged to do the same.
"Iran must allow Baquer and Siamak Namazi, Emad Shargi and Morad Tahbaz to come back to their loved ones," the official added.
But the official said negotiations over detainees are being held "independently from the discussions on the JCPOA".
Mr Biden will on Friday meet family members of WNBA star Brittney Griner and former marine Paul Whelan, both of whom remain jailed in Russia, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Thursday.
US-Russia prisoner swap – in pictures
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
more from Janine di Giovanni
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fasset%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2019%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mohammad%20Raafi%20Hossain%2C%20Daniel%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%242.45%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2086%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Pre-series%20B%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Investcorp%2C%20Liberty%20City%20Ventures%2C%20Fatima%20Gobi%20Ventures%2C%20Primal%20Capital%2C%20Wealthwell%20Ventures%2C%20FHS%20Capital%2C%20VN2%20Capital%2C%20local%20family%20offices%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
SERIES INFO
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi Sunshine Series
All matches at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Test series
1st Test: Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets
2nd Test: Wednesday, 10 March – Sunday, 14 March
Play starts at 9.30am
T20 series
1st T20I: Wednesday, 17 March
2nd T20I: Friday, 19 March
3rd T20I: Saturday, 20 March
TV
Supporters in the UAE can watch the matches on the Rabbithole channel on YouTube
TO ALL THE BOYS: ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Directed by: Michael Fimognari
Starring: Lana Condor and Noah Centineo
Two stars
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
The Intruder
Director: Deon Taylor
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Michael Ealy, Meagan Good
One star
'Spies in Disguise'
Director: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
Stars: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Karen Gillan and Roshida Jones
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WWE Super ShowDown results
Seth Rollins beat Baron Corbin to retain his WWE Universal title
Finn Balor defeated Andrade to stay WWE Intercontinental Championship
Shane McMahon defeated Roman Reigns
Lars Sullivan won by disqualification against Lucha House Party
Randy Orton beats Triple H
Braun Strowman beats Bobby Lashley
Kofi Kingston wins against Dolph Zigggler to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Mansoor Al Shehail won the 50-man Battle Royal
The Undertaker beat Goldberg
The BIO
Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.
Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.
Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.
Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
RESULT
Aston Villa 1
Samatta (41')
Manchester City 2
Aguero (20')
Rodri (30')
