"US Releases $6 Billion in Frozen Funds for Iran Prisoner Swap"

The United States has waived sanctions to allow the transfer of $6 billion in Iranian funds from South Korea to Qatar, a necessary step for the previously announced U.S.-Iran prisoner swap. The deal involves the release of five U.S. citizens detained by Iran in exchange for the transfer of funds and the release of five Iranians held in the United States. The U.S. government formally acknowledged the release of the Iranians as part of the agreement. The funds can only be used for humanitarian trade and will be held in restricted accounts in Qatar. The transfer and prisoner exchange could take place as early as next week.