January 30, 2023 - PBS NewsHour full episode
PBS NewsHourNov 24, 2022
The Facts
According to a US official, the US and Qatar have come to an agreement that Iran will not be able to access the $6B in Iranian funds that were unblocked as part of a prisoner swap in September.
In September, the US — via negotiations mediated by Qatar and represented by Switzerland — agreed to swap five Iranian citizens and transfer $6B from South Korea to be held by Qatar on Iran's behalf in exchange for five US citizens.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Iran must be treated as a threat, which is why this is a sound policy by both Qatar and the US. Iran continues to not only fund Hamas but also Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as various Russian mercenaries. Alongside the clear success of returning five US citizens, the US must remind Iran that its international and domestic behavior must align with international values.
Establishment-critical narrative
Rumors concerning Iran's freed funds are baseless. The US does not hold the power to block the funds that rightfully belong to Tehran. The spreading of such a narrative merely discredits the legitimacy of any news outlet that decides to promote the story.
