Allowing the five to leave Iran, which could take weeks, would remove a major irritant between Washington and Tehran.
Iran has threatened retaliation against any company unloading Iranian oil from the seized tanker.
The news comes as Washington and Iran are trying to ease tensions and revive broader talks over Iran's nuclear program.
Neither the American nor the Iranian statement about the deal openly confirmed the payoff
The US has issued a new waiver to let Iraq pay Iran for electricity to keep Iran from forcing power cuts.
Michael McCaul, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote to Blinken on Friday, asking why the State Department's special envoy for Iran, Rob Malley, was placed on unpaid leave.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: US-Iran deal will not stop Israel from doing what it takes to defend itself
Another novel tactic is a government order to both private and public sectors not to provide services to "violators." Warnings of heavy fines and even imprisonment have been issued.
The defendants, all fugitives at large, used their companies the Iran-based Aran Modern Devices Kish Company, and UAE-based Modern Technologies for the conspiracy.
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