The following are reactions from Qatar, Oman and Switzerland – the three countries that mediated between Iran and the United States.
Qatar
Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani
Sept. 19, 2023 interview with CNN: “We were so proud to see that Qatar helped in bringing those people back to their families.”
“I cannot claim that this will lead to a nuclear deal, but it’s going definitely to lead to a better environment.”
“What happened yesterday actually was a great building block for rebuilding the confidence between the two countries.”
“I hope both countries are believing that this will lead to a better environment to go for an entire agreement on the nuclear issue, and any other outstanding issue.”
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Sept. 18, 2023 press release: HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi announced that five citizens of the United States of America who were detained in the Islamic Republic of Iran are now en route to Doha International Airport (DIA) after they had been released in a swap with the Islamic Republic of Iran as part of an agreement between the two nations on exchange of detainees mediated by the State of Qatar.
In remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE Dr. Al Khulaifi added that as part of the implementation of the agreement, the Iranian frozen funds in the Republic of Korea were transferred to Doha accordingly.
His Excellency said the State of Qatar will commence the activation of the humanitarian financial channel.
Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs considered the implementation of this agreement an indicative of the status of the State of Qatar as a trusted international partner in mediation field and a vindication of confidence of all parties in Qatar’s neutrality and impartiality. It also represents a new success to be further added to the remarkable successes of Qatari diplomacy in several regional and international files.
Dr. Al Khulaifi expressed the State of Qatar’s hope that the full implementation of the agreement between the United States and Iran will lead to greater understandings that include return to the joint and inclusive action plan.
Concluding his remarks, His Excellency reaffirmed the State of Qatar’s commitment to supporting all regional and international efforts aimed at achieving security and stability in the region.
Part of the arrival of United States detainees, held by the Islamic Republic of Iran, at Doha International Airport, in implementation of the Qatari-mediated agreement between the two countries.#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/zRI1ayZzxe
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) September 18, 2023
Oman
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Sept. 19, 2023 statement: “The Sultanate of Oman welcomes the process of mutual release of Iranian and American nationals, and appreciates the great cooperation by the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America with the efforts made by the Sultanate of Oman and the sisterly State of Qatar in this regard, and hopes that positive steps will continue in a way that preserves the stability of the region and consolidates the principles of international peace and security.”
Switzerland
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Sept. 18, 2023 statement: “The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) welcomes the humanitarian gesture of the US and Iran that has led to the successful exchange of five American and five Iranian prisoners, who can now go home to their families. Switzerland helped facilitate the prisoner exchange by providing its good offices. The FDFA would like to thank all the countries involved for the trust they placed in Switzerland.
“On 18 September, Switzerland was able to hand over five US citizens, released by Iran, to the US authorities in Doha, Qatar. In return, the US has released five Iranian nationals. Deploying its extensive experience and expertise, Switzerland made a key contribution to the success of this humanitarian gesture and facilitated the related transfer of frozen funds from South Korea to Iran. The funds may only be used for humanitarian purposes. Switzerland played a major role in the process by providing its good offices at the request of all the parties involved.
“Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Foreign minister and head of the FDFA, welcomed the prisoner swap and thanked both countries for the trust they placed in Switzerland: ‘Dialogue is always the best option. Switzerland is ready to participate in other mediation processes in line with its long-standing tradition of providing good offices.’”