Ali Shamkhani, chief of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, claimed that U.S. Republican officials reached out to Tehran asking that the recent release of four American prisoners be delayed until after the upcoming presidential election.
“In the course of the talks for exchanging prisoners, the Republican rivals of the current US administration who claim to be humanitarians and advocates of human rights sent a message telling us not to release these people (American prisoners) and continue this process (of talks) until the eve of US presidential elections...However, we acted upon our independent resolve and moved the process forward.” Shamkhani said.
President Obama, please call on Congress for a thorough and complete investigation of this matter and the prosecution of offenders.



