The White House explained the airlift of $400 million worth of cash to Iran, about which The Wall Street Journal reported earlier.

As White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest stated, this was the payment which was originally discussed at The Hague court, DW reported.

As Ernest specified, in January, 2016 the sum in various currencies has been taken out from the USA on the plane because the country has no bank connection with Iran. At the same time, the official emphasized, $ 400 million should not be perceived as repayment at all. Approximately at the same time when the large sum has been taken out from Washington, four U.S. citizens were realized from prison in Iran.

Even before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Washington concluded with Tehran agreement on arms deliveries for a significant amount. For this purpose U.S.  received from Iran over $ 1.7 billion. However, the weapons have never been delivered. According to Reuters, it isn't excluded, that $400 million was part of a deal to settle the long-standing situation.