On Saturday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the negotiation with Iran to free a Chinese-American Princeton graduate student Xiyue Wang in exchange for an Iranian scientist Massoud Soleimani held by Iran.
The Foreign Minister of Iran, Javad Zarif, made the announcement on Twitter, as well as Secretary of State Pompeo. The release means a potential breakthrough between the U.S. and Iran.
Pompeo wrote on Twitter, “Another American is coming home. Xiyue Wang, who has been held on false charges in Iran for over three years, has been released and is on his way back to the United States. Mr. Wang will soon be reunited with his wife and son, who have missed him dearly. We will not rest until we bring every American detained in Iran and around the world back home to their loved ones. We thank the Swiss government for facilitating the return of Mr. Wang, and are pleased the Iranian government has been constructive in this matter.”
Zarif wrote on Twitter, “Glad that Professor Massoud Soleimani and Mr. Xiyue Wang will be joining their families shortly. Many thanks to all engaged, particularly the Swiss government.”
The Swiss government helped facilitate the return of the hostages to their respective countries.