290 Million in Reparations to Iran Hostages

[CatWoman]

WASHINGTON—

They were taken hostage by Iranian student revolutionaries at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in November 1979 and held for 444 harrowing days laced with interrogations, beatings, solitary confinement and mock executions.

Now, 35 years later, dozens of Americans and their families still seek redress for their suffering. Many remain frustrated and impatient – not only with the Islamic Republic but with the U.S. government.

In a sense, it’s as if they’re still held hostage, several former captives suggest.

From Iran, they say they want – but don’t really expect – a formal apology acknowledging they and their country were wronged.

"There’s never been accountability from the Iranian side. They’ve just been in denial," said former State Department diplomat John Limbert, one of the 52 Americans held hostage and among four interviewed by VOA for this report.

From the United States, they want support for reparations – blocked for years by the government’s refusal to violate the treaty that freed them..

http://www.voanews.com/content/former-iran-hostages-caught-in-waiting-game/2500990.html

I remember being attacked on this very same site for suggesting african americans receive reparations...........

[Separation]

1. Just a thought.

Where the Iranians and other people who were on that passenger jet that was shot down by the US Navy paid in reparations? If they haven't, I can see that a sticking point in these hostages receiving anything, ever.

Such a damn shame with our relations with Iran. I've had and still am friends with several Iranians. Awesome food!

[NutmegYankee]

3. We did.

In 1996, the United States and Iran reached a settlement at the International Court of Justice which included the statement "...the United States recognized the aerial incident of 3 July 1988 as a terrible human tragedy and expressed deep regret over the loss of lives caused by the incident...".[15] As part of the settlement, the United States did not admit legal liability but agreed to pay on an ex gratia basis US$61.8 million, amounting to $213,103.45 per passenger, in compensation to the families of the Iranian victims.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_Air_Flight_655

[CBGLuthier]

2. We sheltered their former head of state. They had a legitimate grievance.

We murdered one of their elected leaders. We are not the good guys. They were collateral damage in the United States attempts to rule the world. Maybe they should just get the fuck over it.

[Takket]

4. Bad idea

Obama is just now helping pick up the pieces of relations that have been shattered for over a generation. Iran has stood down its nuke program, just freed a group of soldiers with no threats or fanfare.

Now isn't exactly the time to say "oh by the way, give us money for the hostages." That would crush the fragile trust it's taken decades and most of obama's presidency to build up.