My understanding on the $150 B to Iran was that it was money that had been held back in US banks since the Shah was overthrown in the 70s. So it was impounded by the Feds for all that time and Obama basically released it and recognized the govt that overthrew the Shah.
Yes; I had forgotten that {rough day}.
However, I also remember questioning that at the time. Does anyone think that a bank vault had $150 bil tucked safely away? Money does not work like that... and the $ bil+ cash on pallets flown to Iran...?
My understanding on the $150 B to Iran was that it was money that had been held back in US banks since the Shah was overthrown in the 70s. So it was impounded by the Feds for all that time and Obama basically released it and recognized the govt that overthrew the Shah.
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My memory (such as it may be) tells me that the money was in the US from the time before the Shah was overthrown. It was a total of $400 million. Then it magically turned into $150 billion and got sent to the mullahs. Just did a search and found this, it has a lot of detail, and considering that it is Time, not trustworthy. But as far as I know, the original $400 million is accurate.
Why the U.S. Owed Iran That $400 Million
https://time.com/4441046/400-million-iran-hostage-history/
snip:
But still at issue as Obama began his second term was $400 million that Iran in the late 1970s had paid for U.S. fighter jets, while Tehran was still a U.S. ally. After it turned into an enemy in 1979, Washington was not about to deliver the jets. But, all these years later, Iran wanted its money back—and with interest.