Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei said his country was still waiting for a response from the US over a prisoner swap, according to the government’s website on Sunday.
He reiterated that Tehran was ready for a full prisoner exchange with Washington without preconditions.
“We have stated our readiness to discuss the release of all prisoners without preconditions ... but Americans have not responded yet. It seems to us that Americans are more prepared than before to end this situation,” Rabiei said.
“Washington is aware of our readiness and we think there is no need for a third country to mediate between Tehran and Washington for the prisoner exchange,” Rabiei added.
Both countries have called for the release of prisoners because of the new coronavirus outbreak.
Three Iranian officials told Reuters last week that a prisoner swap between the two countries was in the works.
Rabiei noted that if the US side agrees, "the interest section of Iran in Washington will inform the US of our views on the details, including how and when the exchange will take place.”
“We are worried about the safety and health of jailed Iranians in America ... We hold America responsible for their safety amid the coronavirus outbreak,” Rabiei was quoted as saying.
Earlier in December, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said his country was ready for a full prisoner exchange with the US, tweeting: “The ball is in the US’ court”.
Also, in mid-March US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged Tehran to free US prisoners as a humanitarian gesture because of the coronavirus.
The US is set to deport Iranian professor Sirous Asgari, who was acquitted of stealing trade secrets, once he receives medical clearance to leave, US and Iranian officials said on Tuesday.
According to Reuters, Iran freed US citizen Xiyue Wang last December. He had been held for three years on spying charges, and the United States released Iranian Massoud Soleimani, who faced charges of violating US sanctions on Iran.
