State Department says reports of U.S.-Iran prisoner swap deal ‘are not true’

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States has denied a report by Iran’s state-run television broadcaster that deals had been reached for the Islamic Republic to release U.S. and British prisoners in exchange for Tehran receiving billions of dollars.

The quick denial Sunday came after state TV, relying on an unidentified source, made the claim.

It comes amid a wider power struggle between hard-liners who control Iranian state TV and the administration of the relatively moderate President Hassan Rouhani. It also comes ahead of Iran’s June presidential election.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said “reports that a prisoner swap deal has been reached are not true.”