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Trump Agrees to Consider Easing Russia Sanctions for Prisoners

By Drooid · Sep 29, 2026, 6:32 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Trump Considers Sanctions

U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to consider easing sanctions on Russia for prisoner releases.
John Coale, Eastern Europe envoy, proposed the plan months earlier and obtained presidential approval.
The plan would let U.S. firms pursue Russian oil, diesel, rare-earth minerals and other deals.
John Coale previously secured release of about 500 Belarusian political prisoners for eased sanctions and a potash deal.

Summary

Trump Rejects Iran

President Donald Trump rejected Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, calling it unacceptable.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned Trump to choose diplomacy or war, saying Iran is prepared for conflict.
The United States launched Operation Economic Outcast in August, sanctioning 36 Iranian aviation targets on September 8.
A U.S. official told CNN the talks are positive but no agreement will be reached without addressing nuclear issues.

History

Historical Context

The 1979 Iranian Revolution led Ayatollah Khomeini’s students to seize the U.S. Embassy on Nov 4, 1979, holding 52 Americans for 444 days until the Jan 20, 1981 Algiers Accords ended the crisis. President Carter responded with $8 billion in frozen assets and broad sanctions, creating a precedent of economic pressure as diplomatic leverage that still shapes U.S. policy.

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Trump Considers Sanctions

U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to consider easing sanctions on Russia for prisoner releases.
John Coale, Eastern Europe envoy, proposed the plan months earlier and obtained presidential approval.
The plan would let U.S. firms pursue Russian oil, diesel, rare-earth minerals and other deals.
John Coale previously secured release of about 500 Belarusian political prisoners for eased sanctions and a potash deal.

1 / 3