When is a payment for hostages not a ransom? The Administration insists the payment merely settled a separate dispute related to the aborted sale of... That’s how the State Department has tried to spin a $1.7 billion settlement the U.S. reached with Tehran in January, when the nuclear deal was finalized and Tehran released five American hostages, including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian. When the Obama Administration says so.

Source: Wall Street Journal August 03, 2016 23:15 UTC