After all, Obama had publicly disclosed the payment to Iran at a White House news conference in January called to announce implementation of the historic Iran nuclear deal. Republicans were only reviving the issue "because they want to continue to criticize the [nuclear] agreement, and I think they are wrong about that." President Obama and Hillary Clinton both expressed surprise Thursday that a $400-million cash payment to Iran early this year has suddenly become an issue in the presidential campaign. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest denied that the money was paid as ransom. At a news conference Thursday at the Pentagon, Obama did little to hide his bemusement at having to answer questions about the payment.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 04, 2016 18:05 UTC