Zarif Admits Receiving Letter From U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sits for an interview with Reuters in New York, New York, U.S. April 24, 2019. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has confirmed that he has received a letter from U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Robert C. O'Brien.

During his ongoing visit to New York, Zarif has repeatedly said that he did not receive any response to his call for a prisoners swap with the United States.

He repeated once again on Thursday April 25 during a meeting with reporters at the UN headquarters that he is willing to discuss a prisoner exchange with America.

Earlier Zarif had said that his call for prisoner swap some six months ago had also remained unanswered.

However, he admitted receiving a letter from U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Robert O'Brien when an Al-Monitor reporter reminded him of the reply. However, he did not say whether he received the letter from O'Brien recently or six months ago.

According to Al-Monitor, Zarif said the letter was "unilateral" as O'Brien had simply said: "Release them!"

Mr. O'Brien has still not reacted to Zarif's comment.