After enduring a year and a half in prison, Jason's odyssey begins as Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps attempts to disrupt his and Yegi's escape. The podcast discusses the capture of US naval ships, the infamous pallets of cash sent to Iran, intense negotiations for Yegi's release, a tense period of uncertainty, and the bittersweet realization of leaving Iran.
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Quick takeaways
Jason's release from captivity in Iran was jeopardized by the capture of US naval ships in Iranian waters.
Despite facing uncertainty and separation, Jason and his family were eventually reunited and safely left Iran.
Deep dives
The Struggle to Free Jason Rezaian
As Jason Rezaian awaits his release from captivity in Iran, his brother Ollie hopes for a mention of his case in President Obama's State of the Union address, but instead, news breaks that US naval ships have been captured in Iranian waters, putting Jason's release in jeopardy.
The High-Stakes Negotiations
Secretary of State John Kerry contacts Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, demanding the release of the captured US sailors and warning that failure to do so could jeopardize the nuclear deal. Meanwhile, Jason's family hopes for news of his release, but Obama's State of the Union address fails to mention the American hostages.
The Tense Wait for Freedom
Amidst the uncertainty of the negotiations, Jason and his family anxiously await news of his potential release. Despite the rumors of his freedom, Jason's wife Yegi and his mother are detained at the airport, while Jason is left waiting and unsure if he will be reunited with his family.
A Rollercoaster of Emotions
As the final moments approach, tensions rise as Jason's family is separated from him and the Swiss ambassador tries to find a resolution. Finally, after a nerve-wracking wait, Yegi and Jason are reunited, and they, along with several other American hostages, board a plane and safely leave Iranian airspace.
After a year and a half in prison, Jason leaves Evin. But that’s just the beginning of a crazy odyssey as Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps tries one last time to scramble the deal to get Jason and Yegi out of Iran.