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Americans released by Iran arrive home, including Rutgers grad Siamak Namazi

The release was part of a deal that included the United States unfreezing $6 billion in Iranian funds.

Matt Trapani

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Sep 19, 2023, 4:17 PM

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A group of Americans who were being held in an Iranian prison are now back on U.S. soil.

Rutgers graduate Siamak Namazi was among them. Namazi had been detained in Iran since 2015. The 52-year-old graduated from Rutgers in 1998 with a degree in Urban Planning and Regional Development.

The release was part of a deal that included the United States unfreezing $6 billion in Iranian funds.

RELATED: Rutgers grad among 5 Americans released from Iranian prison

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says he disagrees with the amount of money used. Christie is a Republican presidential candidate.

"I would not have had a problem with exchanging five hostages for five hostages, but for five prisoners rather, but I would not have given them $6 billion,” Christie said. “This empowers that regime to export terror and encourages them to take more Americans in order to try to get more money from assets that are frozen because of their own terrorist conduct."

A senior Biden administration official says this deal does not change its relationship with Iran in any way.

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