State Department spokesman John Kirby blamed the media on Thursday for criticism of the Obama administration’s $400 million payment to Iran in January, which critics say was a ransom payment in exchange for American prisoners.
"Listen, this happened in January, and this is the first time you’ve ever said flat out that they [Iran] wouldn’t get the money until the prisoners were released," Associated Press reporter Bradley Klapper said at the State Department’s daily press briefing. "That took, let’s count it, seven months. Why all the beating around the bush if it was such a great and noble decision?"
"The only reason that we’re having this discussion is because of press coverage, Brad," Kirby said.
"So, evil reporters have made you dredge this out?" Klapper asked.
"No, I’ve never called you guys evil. I’ve called you other things, but never evil," Kirby said to laughter.
"You can’t blame press coverage because you didn’t say what this was seven months ago," Klapper responded.
"We did describe it seven months ago, Brad," Kirby said.
"You did not say it was contingent, this was contingent on that," Klapper said. "Now you’re saying flatly out that this was, this payment was contingent on the release of the prisoners. You did not say that in January."
Kirby later would not say whether the payment to Iran could be characterized as a ransom. He did say, however, that the $400 million to Iran was contingent on Tehran releasing American prisoners the regime had detained, implying a quid pro quo exchange.