In prisoner swap, Iran releases US veteran in exchange for scientist
WASHINGTON _ A U.S. military veteran, Michael White, who had been held by Iran for two years, has been released and is on his way home, his family and President Donald Trump said on Thursday.
He was set free after US-Iranian scientist Majid Taheri was released by U.S. authorities, officials in Tehran said.
"I am blessed to announce that the nightmare is over, and my son is safely on his way home," Joanne White, Michael's mother, said in a statement released by the family's lawyers.
Trump tweeted to confirm the release: "I am to happy announce that Navy Veteran, Michael White, who has been detained by Iran for 683 days, is on a Swiss plane that just left Iranian Airspace," he said.
White was detained in 2018 on charges of insulting Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He had received a 10-year sentence.
He has suffered from ill health while in prison, including reportedly contracting the coronavirus.
Iran's Foreign Ministry confirmed White and Taheri's release.
According to media reports, Taheri, who is also a U.S. citizen, was detained 16 months ago for alleged sanctions violations. It was initially unclear whether Taheri would travel to Iran after his release.
_dpa
