After the latest prisoner swap between Iran and the United States, Iranian officials said they are ready for more prisoner swaps with Washington.

Last week, Michael White was released from Iranian custody in exchange for Majid Taheri, who was held in US custody. Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson played a major role in the negotiations for the prisoner swap. Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif suggested the talks to exchange prisoners took place “despite” the efforts of the Trump administration, which has taken a hard line with Iran. Iran and the United States do not have formal relations and the Swiss Embassy in Tehran often acts as a liaison. 

On June 7, Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said, “With the help of the Swiss government this exchange took place and for this reason it is necessary to thank the Swiss government. They took the responsibility of negotiations, otherwise there would be no direct negotiations between Iran and the US government.”

Mousavi continued, “Talks and consultations resulted in the releases. If there is a possibility for exchanges and the readiness is there from the opposing side, we are ready to free the other individuals imprisoned in the United States and bring them home.”