U.S. tells Iran to send plane so Washington can deport 11 Iranian nationals

By Humeyra Pamuk

 

Acting Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Ken Cuccinelli testifies during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on "Confronting the Coronavirus: The Federal Response" on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., March 11, 2020. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States urged Tehran on Monday to send a charter plane to take home 11 Iranian nationals whom Washington wants to deport, and accused the Islamic Republic of stalling the repatriation process.

 

"We have 11 of your citizens who are illegal aliens who we have been trying to return to your country. You suddenly SAY you want them back, so how about you send a charter plane over and we’ll return all 11 at once?" Ken Cuccinelli, acting deputy secretary of the U.S. Homeland Security Department, said in Twitter posts.

 

He said Washington had been trying for months to return Sirous Asgari, an Iranian science professor who was acquitted in November of stealing trade secrets but was still under U.S. custody, and that Tehran was delaying the process.

 

Cuccinelli did not make any mention of a prisoner swap between the two countries that cut diplomatic relations 40 years ago - something Iranian sources have said was in the works.

 

"Stop talking rubbish!" Abbas Mousavi, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, tweeted. "Since Sep2018, @JZarif has put 'universal prisoners swap' on the table, urged U.S. act responsibly abt the Iranian HOSTAGES in & elsewhere. Your regime has reacted callously & risked their lives....Let our citizens go!"

 

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said earlier that Tehran had been ready for a prisoner exchange for some time and that it was the United States that had not responded yet, Iran’s Tasnim news agency quoted him as saying.

 

Both countries have called for the release of prisoners because of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Iran is the worst-hit country in the Middle East, while the United States has reported the highest number of deaths and infections worldwide from the virus.

 

Reuters reported last week that the United States was expected to deport Asgari, who tested positive for the coronavirus more than two weeks ago, once he received medical clearance to travel.

 

Iranian sources have said talks for a prisoner swap between the United States and Iran have been in the works for some time and that Washington was negotiating for the release of Michael White, a U.S. Navy veteran who has been detained in Iran since 2018. He was released from prison in mid-March to Swiss custody and is on medical furlough, but remains in Iran.

 

It was not immediately clear who would be exchanged for White, but a U.S. official denied that Washington was negotiating to swap Asgari for White as Iranian officials have suggested.

 

As the United States and Iran lack diplomatic relations, Switzerland looks after U.S. interests with Tehran.

 

On Monday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had a telephone conversation with his Swiss counterpart, Ignazio Cassis, and thanked him for Switzerland's "continued and constructive role" as Washington's protecting power in Iran and its assistance in repatriating U.S. citizens from that country.

 

(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by Mary Milliken and Peter Cooney)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-05-12

 

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US tells somebody that they must do something again, and if they do not do it they are stalling things. It´s US that wish to deport 11 Iranians, right. Then do that.

1 hour ago, Matzzon said:

US tells somebody that they must do something again, and if they do not do it they are stalling things. It´s US that wish to deport 11 Iranians, right. Then do that.

 

You can understand the US's reservations. Send an American plane, trigger happy Air Defense might shoot it down; send them by sea, doesn't seem much safer!

 

Maybe take them too Iraq or KSA and get them to walk?

2 hours ago, Matzzon said:

US tells somebody that they must do something again, and if they do not do it they are stalling things. It´s US that wish to deport 11 Iranians, right. Then do that.

Not to mention the fact that if the Iranians send a plane, they have to fuel it. Since Iran has US backed sanctions against it, Iran cannot buy fuel in the USA or Europe for the return journey.

Iran should tell 'em to chomp on yet another Big Mac-the world is rather busy at the moment..

Sounds like Us wants to deport them but not pay the cost.

Reminds me of a certain wall someone wanted

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Ken Cuccinelli, acting deputy secretary of the U.S. Homeland Security Department, said in Twitter posts.

 

8 hours ago, webfact said:

"Stop talking rubbish!" Abbas Mousavi, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, tweeted.

I truly despair for the future ... "diplomacy" via Twitter ????

yes, send a plane so we can seize it.

If you want them deported there is nothing stopping you. Get on with it.

 

Its not up to iran to tell you how to deport.

Get Switzerland to take them off your hands

3 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

You can understand the US's reservations. Send an American plane, trigger happy Air Defense might shoot it down; send them by sea, doesn't seem much safer!

 

Maybe take them too Iraq or KSA and get them to walk?

Oh the irony. Americans are probably the world's gold standard at trigger happy.

Put them here , not far. Or can ask if Iran pay the flight. Ask same time is there still hide weapons in Irak. And why we not find any!

 

so long as they don't send a Falcon 50 like the Iraqis  

2 hours ago, Grumpy one said:

Sounds like Us wants to deport them but not pay the cost.

Reminds me of a certain wall someone wanted

oh well... just the equivalent of China - who send the family the Bill for the bullet that blew away one of their kin

5 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

You can understand the US's reservations. Send an American plane, trigger happy Air Defense might shoot it down; send them by sea, doesn't seem much safer!

 

Maybe take them too Iraq or KSA and get them to walk?

Send them aboard the uss vincennes they are definitely trigger happy humm?its just a distraction if they want them sent back there’s plenty of ways to do it imo it’s just a shiny distraction 

Bring 'm across the territorial sea border, put them in dinky's and wish them a pleasant journey.

US expresses desire to enforce immigration law. Most attack the US and defend Iran. Quite telling. Sad, but telling.

Sounds like a divorce. He said, she said...............?

49 minutes ago, hugocnx said:

Bring 'm across the territorial sea border, put them in dinky's and wish them a pleasant journey.

Just take into account that Iran has some Americans in jail, the same might happen to them.

3 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Just take into account that Iran has some Americans in jail, the same might happen to them.

Obviously more behind the scenes going on. Such a shame Mullahs hand picked leaders are more trustworthy at this point than the mouthpieces of Trump. Send the lot to Qatar, another intermediary of Iran-US. Flights are operating normally and deportations are routine.

I am sure the USA isn't too bothered if they are left to rot in a COVID detention cage. I bet the deportees are praying to Allah for a plane.

2 hours ago, Cryingdick said:

I am sure the USA isn't too bothered if they are left to rot in a COVID detention cage. I bet the deportees are praying to Allah for a plane.

I am sure Michael White is happy as well.

1 minute ago, stevenl said:

I am sure Michael White is happy as well.

 

This is one of those it matters not where they rot sort of threads. If Iran wants them they know where they are. If it goes too long declare them stateless and send them to Cuba.

Edited May 13, 20206 yr by Cryingdick

9 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

 

This is one of those it matters not where they rot sort of threads. If Iran wants them they know where they are. If it goes too long declare them stateless and send them to Cuba.

If the US doesnt want them they know where to send them. Against international law to declare a person stateless.

11 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

 

This is one of those it matters not where they rot sort of threads. If Iran wants them they know where they are. If it goes too long declare them stateless and send them to Cuba.

Nothing to do with my remark.

2 minutes ago, Sujo said:

If the US doesnt want them they know where to send them. Against international law to declare a person stateless.

 

Take them to the edge of US coastal waters put them in a raft, in current and wish them a good voyage. The thing is these little sort of gotcha stories get reported on one time. We are never going to hear another word about it. I am not saying they will be killed or some stupid nonsense like that. It's just nobody cares, not right now. 

18 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

You can understand the US's reservations. Send an American plane, trigger happy Air Defense might shoot it down; send them by sea, doesn't seem much safer!

 

Maybe take them too Iraq or KSA and get them to walk?

its the US that are known to have trigger happy air defense systems,

specially against civilian airliners belonging to iran,

so im sure you understand iran reservations,

this time its not even in international airs pace,

the US is actually suggesting iran send an airplane over US airspace, hows that going to work out you think ?

Edited May 13, 20206 yr by brokenbone

Does anyone read here ?

 

The announcement says the US urges 

 

Not orders, not requires, not tells

 

If I am urged to get a haircut by my GF that is a suggestion, not an edict

11 minutes ago, Langsuan Man said:

Does anyone read here ?

 

The announcement says the US urges 

 

Not orders, not requires, not tells

 

If I am urged to get a haircut by my GF that is a suggestion, not an edict

 

I urge them to leave.

On 5/12/2020 at 8:23 AM, Baerboxer said:

 

You can understand the US's reservations. Send an American plane, trigger happy Air Defense might shoot it down; send them by sea, doesn't seem much safer!

 

Maybe take them too Iraq or KSA and get them to walk?

The only thing you need to understand is that US wants to deport 11 iranians. Make it happen then, and quit stalling.