Two wrongs make a right?
BBC in its 2020 Panorama – Hostage in Iran postulated that dual UK and Iranian citizens who are arrested in Iran on spy charges can be released in exchange for payment of a debt owed by THE UK GOVERNMENT to Iran.
This debt arose as the Shah had paid for Chieftain tanks which were not delivered after his fall. The UK govt refused to return the money. The reason is because these moneys will be misused. Thus, the UK citizens remain in Iranian jail as the UK govt is not prepared to do the exchange. Unlike the US GOVERNMENT.
To understand Iran, here are 4 books. Iran Rising is a 2019 book that explains why and how the Islamic Republic of Iran has survived covert and overt attempts by the Americans to topple it.
Poser who was the President after Khamenei?