‘Nightmare is finally over’: Americans freed from Iran speak of relief on return to US

Five former prisoners land in Virginia after controversial deal which involved exchange of five Iranians and unfreezing of $6bn

Americans detained for years in Iran arrived home on Tuesday, tearfully hugged their loved ones and declared Freedom!" after being let go as part of a politically risky deal that saw Joe Biden agree to the release of nearly $6bn in frozen Iranian assets.

The prisoners landed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, with clapping and cheers heard in the pre-dawn hours. Siamak Namazi, the first off the jet, paused for a moment, closed his eyes and took a deep breath before leaving the plane. Loved ones, some holding small American flags, enveloped them in hugs and exchanged greetings in English and Farsi, the main language of Iran.