Prisoner exchange frees Olivier Vandecasteele after 15 months in exchange for Assadollah Assadi, who handed off explosives for use at an Iranian opposition rally outside Paris

Official says Moscow and Tehran are using US citizens 'as political pawns' and 'bargaining chips' after locking them up 'on false pretenses'

Robert Malley: Iran urges need for a common policy on dealing with detention of foreigners as 'bargaining chips,' but notes many countries handle matter with Iranians individually

Furlough comes days after world powers returned to Vienna in last-ditch effort to save Iran nuclear deal; activists see Fariba Adelkhah's jailing as hostage diplomacy by Tehran

'Unless the president intervenes immediately, we are likely to languish in this abyss for the foreseeable future,' writes Siamak Namazi, Iranian-American detained since 2015

Carrie Keller-Lynn recaps another tumultuous day in the Knesset, Aaron Boxerman updates us on Hamas hostages, Amanda Borschel-Dan discusses a seafaring mosaic's journey home

Former hostages push for fate of Americans, Europeans and others detained by Tehran to be included in deal, but some caution against further complicating talks by linking issues

Recalling 'terrifying' final moments of standoff, Charlie Cytron-Walker says he checked to see the other hostages with him were ready before springing into action, fleeing

Congregation chairman appears to downplay antisemitic motive, calling attack 'random act of violence,' rabbi credits security training with giving hostages awareness when to flee

Malik Faisal Akram's family condemns his actions, apologizes to victims, says he suffered from mental health issues; president: suspect apparently got weapon 'on the street'