Carter dangles US bait for release of hostages

President Carter said as soon as Iran releases its American hostages he will unfreeze billions of dollars of Tehran's assets and resume normal commerce between the United States and Iran. It had been assumed from previous statements that release of the hostages would lead to an easing of US sanctions against Iran, but his remarks represent his strongest personal statement so far n the subject.

"We want a peaceful Iran, a united Iran, a strong Iran, and we want to restore normal commerce once the hostages are released," Mr. Carter said.