Paul Moss

Joe Biden may still be president, but before he spoke about the ceasefire agreement, Donald Trump was taking credit for the influence played by him and his team. And they did actually play an important role, as our State Department correspondent Tom Bateman explained to me.

Tom Bateman in Washington, you've been listening to a special edition of the Global News podcast. A ceasefire deal in Gaza has been announced with an end to Israeli attacks on Palestinians and Israeli hostages released. It's due to start on January the 19th. With his thoughts on the wider implications of the deal, here's our international editor, Jeremy Bowen.

Tom Bateman in Washington, you've been listening to a special edition of the Global News podcast. A ceasefire deal in Gaza has been announced with an end to Israeli attacks on Palestinians and Israeli hostages released. It's due to start on January the 19th. With his thoughts on the wider implications of the deal, here's our international editor, Jeremy Bowen.

And that's all from us for now, but there'll be a new edition of the Global News Podcast very soon. If you want to comment on this podcast or the topics covered in it, you can send us an email. The address is globalpodcast at bbc.co.uk. You can also find us on X at Global News Pod. This edition was mixed by Jack Wilfan and the producer was Alison Davis. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Paul Moss.

And that's all from us for now, but there'll be a new edition of the Global News Podcast very soon. If you want to comment on this podcast or the topics covered in it, you can send us an email. The address is globalpodcast at bbc.co.uk. You can also find us on X at Global News Pod. This edition was mixed by Jack Wilfan and the producer was Alison Davis. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Paul Moss.

Until next time, goodbye.

Until next time, goodbye.

The man released is Mohammed Abedini. He's described as an Iranian businessman. The United States says he supplied drone parts used by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, which is subject to sanctions. And they say these then were used in an attack on U.S. servicemen based in Jordan near the Syrian border. That happened last January and three American service personnel were killed. So the U.S.

The man released is Mohammed Abedini. He's described as an Iranian businessman. The United States says he supplied drone parts used by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, which is subject to sanctions. And they say these then were used in an attack on U.S. servicemen based in Jordan near the Syrian border. That happened last January and three American service personnel were killed. So the U.S.

had a warrant out for Mr. Abedini's arrest. And indeed, he was arrested by Italy when he arrived at Milan's Malpensa airport. Iran was furious. They said the evidence was fabricated, but the United States wanted him extradited.

had a warrant out for Mr. Abedini's arrest. And indeed, he was arrested by Italy when he arrived at Milan's Malpensa airport. Iran was furious. They said the evidence was fabricated, but the United States wanted him extradited.

Cecilia Sala was in Iran making a podcast about Iranian life. She had accreditation, but she was arrested last month for allegedly violating the laws of the Islamic Republic. I'm not clear exactly what that was supposed to mean, but she did have a terrible time. She was held in the notorious Evian prison. She slept on the floor. She was kept isolated, she says.

Cecilia Sala was in Iran making a podcast about Iranian life. She had accreditation, but she was arrested last month for allegedly violating the laws of the Islamic Republic. I'm not clear exactly what that was supposed to mean, but she did have a terrible time. She was held in the notorious Evian prison. She slept on the floor. She was kept isolated, she says.

But only a few days ago, she was released and allowed to go home.

But only a few days ago, she was released and allowed to go home.

Yeah, what can I say? I don't think there are many people who are going to believe that this is purely a coincidence. It certainly looks like a prisoner swap. Of course, it suits Iran and Italy to deny the connection because neither wants to look like they gave in to pressure from the other.

Yeah, what can I say? I don't think there are many people who are going to believe that this is purely a coincidence. It certainly looks like a prisoner swap. Of course, it suits Iran and Italy to deny the connection because neither wants to look like they gave in to pressure from the other.

The trouble is, of course, if prisoners can be used as bargaining chips, then there's an incentive for countries to, you know, randomly arrest foreigners. And of course, we've seen this with Russia. There have been lots of swaps where you had Russians held in the United States and Europe for things like espionage. They were released.

The trouble is, of course, if prisoners can be used as bargaining chips, then there's an incentive for countries to, you know, randomly arrest foreigners. And of course, we've seen this with Russia. There have been lots of swaps where you had Russians held in the United States and Europe for things like espionage. They were released.

And then in return, very openly, either foreigners held in Russia or dissidents there were released. Now, this does mean, of course, that people will think twice about visiting these countries if they could end up in jail effectively as a sort of diplomatic currency.