Secretary of State John Kerry said on Friday he raised the topic of detained Americans at every meeting he held with Iranians during the final weeks of nuclear negotiations and said he is hopeful Tehran would release them.
The Obama administration has faced criticism for not securing the Americans' release as part of the landmark deal reached on Tuesday in Vienna to curb Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
Getting worked up that the deal doesn't include these four Americans is probably a political mistake by the deal's opponents.
What can be said once the hostages are released, which the administration will then point to as evidence that nuclear deal is paying off already in getting a new and improved (now with less nutballery!) Iran?
Iran being Iran, they'll probably just release three and deny any knowledge of the fourth. Best to keep a hostage in reserve, eh?
So after a decent interval that Iran can use to deny there is any linkage, expect some hostages to come home, with a quick trip to the White House for a photo op.
