Iran Releases Iranian-American Detainees In Prisoner Swap

VIENNA (AP) -- U.S. and Iranian officials say Iran is releasing four detained Americans in exchange for seven Iranians held or charged in the United States.

Officials say a fifth American, a student identified as Matthew Trevithnick, was released in a move unrelated to the swap.

U.S. officials identified the four Americans freed in the prisoner exchange as Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati, pastor Saeed Abedini and a fourth person whose name had not been previously made public, Nosratollah Khosravi.

The officials say the four are to be flown from Iran to Switzerland on a Swiss plane and then taken to a U.S. military base in Landstuhl, Germany, for medical treatment.

In return, the U.S. will either pardon or drop charges against seven Iranians -- six of whom are dual citizens -- accused or convicted of violating U.S. sanctions. The U.S. will also drop Interpol "red notices" -- essentially arrest warrants -- on a handful of Iranian fugitives it has sought.

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