President Donald Trump said Thursday he talked to U.S. Navy veteran Michael White by phone after the United States struck a deal to have White released from Iran.
White, 48, was detained in Iran in 2018 when he visited the country to meet his girlfriend who he met online. The country claims he insulted Iran's supreme leader and posted private information online. White was sentenced to 13 years in jail.
Trump announced that White is returning to the United States from Switzerland.
“I just got off the phone with former American hostage Michael White, who is now in Zurich after being released from Iran. He will be on a U.S. plane shortly, and is COMING HOME … to the UNITED STATES!” Trump tweeted Thursday evening.
In exchange for White's release, the United States agreed to release Matteo Taerri, an Iranian-American doctor who faced federal charges for evading banking reporting requirements and sending a medical device to Iran without approval.
“We have now brought more than 40 American hostages and detainees back home since I took office. Thank you to Iran, it shows a deal is possible!” Trump said.
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