President Barack Obama on Iran payment: 'We do not pay ransom'

President Barack Obama said Thursday that it "defies logic" that a $400 million U.S. payment to Iran in January could be considered a "ransom" for hostages" "We announced these payments in January, many months ago. They weren't a secret. This wasn't some nefarious deal" He said the United States does not pay ransom for hostages and that the money was not linked to the prisoners' release