Adviser to Qatari PM: US-Iran prisoner swap is 'first step' to possible nuclear talks

Asked about this week's US-Iran prisoner swap deal, which followed months of Qatar-mediated talks, Al Ansari explained that the negotiations started "about two years ago", were "very difficult" and "involved a lot of meetings" between both sides. One of the main challenges was "building trust" between Tehran and Washington in order to reach a deal, he added.

Concerning the financial side of the deal and the unfreezing of $6 billion that Iran will now be able to access, he explained that "the money can only be spent on humanitarian issues", insisting that guarantees are in place to ensure this. 

This deal "should be seen as a first step to more agreements between both sides" that can be widened to include more difficult issues such as reviving nuclear talks with Iran, Al Ansari said. He added that Qatar is open to offering its mediation again, while cautioning that "there are no direct talks on the nuclear issue taking place" for now.

Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning

Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 app