Oman's Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi confirmed that "Iran and the US are close to an agreement for exchanging prisoners," noting, "I can say they are close to reaching it. It may be a technical matter." Al-Busaidi pointed out that they need a practical framework and a timeline for how to coordinate this, hinting that this agreement may have reached its final stages.
He mentioned to the "Monitore" website that his country has "offered in good faith its diplomatic venues to assist both sides, whether in Oman or elsewhere." Iran seeks, in exchange for this agreement, the release of billions of dollars frozen in South Korea for purely humanitarian purposes.
On another note, he believed that "the atmosphere surrounding the Iranian nuclear issue is positive," clarifying that he thinks "Tehran and Washington are serious about reaching an agreement and reviving the 2015 nuclear deal." A spokesperson for the US State Department stated, "The US administration, through regional channels, is urging Iran simultaneously not to escalate following several months of negative developments."
