US Practice of Withholding Money for Iran Sets Dangerous Precedent

The decision by the Obama administration to hold a $400 million cash payment from Iran until US prisoners had departed for the United States sets a dangerous precedent that will put Americans at risk, US Senator Kelly Ayotte said in a Twitter message on Thursday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that the United States waited for a Swiss Air Force aircraft carrying three freed US citizens to take off from Tehran before allowing Iranian officials in Geneva to take control of the money.

US State Department spokesperson John Kirby said on Thursday the payment was held as leverage against Tehran.

StateDept confirms report admin paid ransom 2 Iran. Sets dangerous precedent & puts Americans abroad in harm's way https://t.co/GIUSxYqqj7

— Kelly Ayotte (@KellyAyotte) August 18, 2016

​Earlier this month, President Barack Obama said that the payment was a settlement made between the two nations in a Hague tribunal over an arms deal that failed prior to the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

Read my full statement on confirmation that admin made ransom payment to Iran: https://t.co/9mdN2ZUslz pic.twitter.com/3z6BisMRvQ

— Kelly Ayotte (@KellyAyotte) August 18, 2016