Xiyue Wang, left, was arrested in Iran while researching Persian history for his doctoral thesis [Princeton University via Reuters]
ABC News Online: Iran-US prisoner exchange sees release of US scholar for Iranian scientist
Iran and the US have conducted a prisoner exchange that saw a detained Princeton scholar released for an Iranian scientist held by America, marking a rare diplomatic breakthrough between Tehran and Washington after months of tensions.
In a trade conducted in Zurich, Switzerland, Iranian officials handed over Chinese-American graduate student Xiyue Wang, detained in Tehran since 2016, for scientist Massoud Soleimani, who had faced a federal trial in Georgia.
While the exchange represents a rare win for both countries, it comes as Iran still faces crushing US sanctions and the aftermath of nationwide protests that reportedly saw over 200 people killed.
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WNU Editor: This is just more proof to me that there are a lot of back-channels at work between the U.S. and Iran.
More News On The U.S. And Iran Agreeing To a Prisoner Exchange
Iran frees Chinese-American scholar for US-held scientist -- AP
United States and Iran swap prisoners in rare act of cooperation -- Reuters
Iran releases American graduate student in prisoner swap -- The Hill
American student Xiyue Wang freed in prisoner swap after three years in Iran jail -- NBC
US and Iranian men released in prisoner swap -- BBC
US scholar released in Iran, jailed Iranian scientist freed in prisoner swap -- DW
Iran frees Chinese-American scholar for US-held Iranian scientist -- Al Jazeera
U.S. hopes U.S. citizen's release means more progress possible with Iran -- Reuters
Factbox: Reactions to Iran-U.S. prisoner swap -- Reuters
