Iran accuses US, UK of holding prisoner exchange talks ‘hostage’

Tehran says it wants to agree prisoner exchange but the US and UK are linking it to talks on Iran’s nuclear programme.

Tehran, Iran – Iran’s top nuclear negotiator has accused the United States and the United Kingdom of holding prisoner exchange talks “hostage” after Iran said nuclear talks should be delayed until after its new government comes into office. Deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran is preparing for a transfer of power to the incoming administration of Ebrahim Raisi in early August, and therefore months-long talks in Vienna to restore the country’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers must wait. “US and UK need to understand this and stop linking a humanitarian exchange – ready to be implemented – with the JCPOA,” he tweeted on Saturday, using the formal name of the landmark accord, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.