Possible Breakthrough Could Release US Detainees in Iran

Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese national arrested by Iran from 2015 to 2019 - Asharq Al-Awsat
Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese national arrested by Iran from 2015 to 2019 - Asharq Al-Awsat
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Possible Breakthrough Could Release US Detainees in Iran

Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese national arrested by Iran from 2015 to 2019 - Asharq Al-Awsat
Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese national arrested by Iran from 2015 to 2019 - Asharq Al-Awsat

While the Biden administration is showing great reservation when it comes to disclosing details on US dual nationals held hostage in Iranian prisons, reports indicate that Qatari mediation could conclude a deal for their release in exchange for $10 billion that Iran would get from funds frozen in South Korea, Japan and Iraq.

A senior administration official told reporters on Sunday evening that the meeting between US President Joe Biden and Qatar’s ruler, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, would review the ongoing talks in Vienna.

“Of course, Qatar, like many other of our partners in the region, are following events — following discussions quite closely,” said the official.

When asked about the role played by Qatar in negotiations for the release of US dual nationals in Iranian prisons, the official said: “The particulars of the detainees and so forth, I mean, these are being handled in other channels.”

Reports were also made on Qatar's foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani holding discussions with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, ahead of the meeting between Biden and Qatar’s ruler at the White House.

Media leaks spread a few hours before Biden and the Emir of Qatar met. According to the leaked information, Emir Tamim would announce “positive results” in the Qatari-Iranian talks to release American detainees.

“Discussions are underway to conclude a settlement whereby Iran receives the frozen funds in exchange for the release of American detainees, and what we ask is that there be no nuclear agreement until after the file of the detainees’ release is completed,” said Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese national who was arrested by Iran in 2015, and was imprisoned until 2019.

He pointed out that “Qatar is able to conclude a deal and mediate between the two sides.”

“Getting Iran $10 billion will not improve the collapsed economic situation there, but will motivate Iran to respond to the negotiations and the demands of the P5+1 group until it gets 340 billion dollars within two years if an agreement is reached to revive the nuclear deal,” added Zakka.



Rescuers Search for 19 Missing, Recover 9 Bodies after Nepal Flooding

Rescuers evacuate stranded people from the site of a mudslide at the Gyirong Port area in Gyirong Township of Xigaze, Xizang Autonomous Region, China, 08 July 2025. EPA/XINHUA / Xu Dafu
Rescuers evacuate stranded people from the site of a mudslide at the Gyirong Port area in Gyirong Township of Xigaze, Xizang Autonomous Region, China, 08 July 2025. EPA/XINHUA / Xu Dafu
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Rescuers Search for 19 Missing, Recover 9 Bodies after Nepal Flooding

Rescuers evacuate stranded people from the site of a mudslide at the Gyirong Port area in Gyirong Township of Xigaze, Xizang Autonomous Region, China, 08 July 2025. EPA/XINHUA / Xu Dafu
Rescuers evacuate stranded people from the site of a mudslide at the Gyirong Port area in Gyirong Township of Xigaze, Xizang Autonomous Region, China, 08 July 2025. EPA/XINHUA / Xu Dafu

Dozens of rescuers searched the banks of a mountain river Wednesday looking for people missing after monsoon floods swept away Nepal's main bridge connecting to the country to China and caused at least nine deaths.

Police said dozens of rescuers were already at the area and more are expected to join the rescue efforts. Nine dead bodies have been recovered from the river. Security forces have rescued 55 people, including four Indians and a Chinese person so far, according to the Rasuwa District Administration Office.

Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli, along with top ministers and officials, flew to the area, The Associated Press reported. Oli called an emergency meeting Tuesday night and instructed all security forces and government offices to assist the rescue and recovery efforts.

The flooding on the Bhotekoshi River early Tuesday destroyed the Friendship Bridge at Rasuwagadi, which is 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of the capital, Kathmandu. Several houses and trucks that were parked at the border for customs inspections also were swept away. Hundreds of electric vehicles imported from China had been parked at the border point.

The 19 missing are 13 Nepali citizens and six Chinese nationals, said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.

The Chinese and eight of the Nepalis were workers at a Chinese-assisted construction project on the Nepali side of the border, according to the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, quoted by state media.

The destruction of the bridge has halted all trade from China to Nepal through this route. The longer alternative is for goods to be shipped from China to India and then brought overland to Nepal.