WASHINGTON: The White House on Wednesday defended a US-Iran prisoner swap deal that has drawn criticism from Republicans, saying Iran gets no US sanctions relief from the deal.

The United States on Monday waived sanctions to allow the transfer of $6 billion in Iranian funds from South Korea to Qatar, a step needed to carry out a previously announced US-Iran prisoner swap, according to a US document seen by Reuters.

US will have ability to freeze Iranian funds transferred to Qatar if needed

"This it not a payment of any kind. It's not a ransom. These aren't US taxpayer dollars. We haven't lifted a single one of our sanctions on Iran," John Kirby, the White House national security spokesperson, told reporters.