It is so rare that Iran gives up hostages that it is hard for us/me to be hopeful.  “Iran Says Talks Over A Prisoner Swap ‘On The Agenda In Vienna’,” Iran International, February 14, 2022.  “Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman [Saeed Khatibzadeh] said on Monday that a prisoner swap with the United States was on the agenda in parallel with the nuclear talks in Vienna. … This is the first time that an Iranian official says official talks over foreigners and dual nationals detained in Iran with the United States have been on the agenda in Vienna. … Iran is holding several Western prisoners in what human rights organizations have dubbed hostage diplomacy.”

“Iran’s 25-year pact with China sparks controversy in Tehran,” Mohammed Al-Sulami, Arab News, February 14, 2022.  Beyond the general informative nature of this article, I’m including it here because the Iranian Parliament insists the 25-year Iran-China Strategic Cooperation Agreement treaty with China must be ratified, and that for now is nothing more than a memorandum of understanding.  But we know the Supreme Leader could say otherwise.