'Unconditional' prisoner swap offer

Iran says it is ready for unconditional prisoner swap talks with the United States because of fears that the coronavirus could put the lives of the prisoners at risk, Iranian media reported yesterday.

An Iranian news website, Khabaronline.ir, quoted cabinet spokesman Ali Rabiei as saying there is a "readiness for all prisoners'' to be discussed without condition.

"But the US has refused to answer, so far,'' said Rabiei. "We hope that as the outbreak of the Covid-19 disease threatens the lives of Iranian citizens in the US prisons, the US government eventually will prefer lives to politics.''

Rabiei said Iran considers the US government responsible for the health of the Iranian prisoners.

Iranian media in recent months said there are several Iranians in US custody, including Sirous Asgari, a 60-year-old university professor.

Last week, US officials said they were making progress in efforts to secure the release of detained Navy veteran Michael White.