White House insists Iran nuclear negotiations ‘separate’ from US hostage talks

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday that US efforts to free Americans detained in Iran are “separate” from negotiations to curb the country’s nuclear program.

Psaki said the issues aren’t linked after the US denied an Iran state media report that the US will unfreeze $7 billion in Iranian assets for the release of four Americans. Four Iranians also would be freed. “Our policy as the US government has not changed on ransom. But I will tell you that discussions to bring home Americans who are held in Iran are something that are raised — that is raised at the highest level through discussions,” Psaki said at her daily press briefing.