Despite weeks of Obama administration stonewalling of refreshingly persistent media inquiries about its outrageous – and, I believe, illegal – transfer to Iran of $400 million in foreign currency in an unmarked cargo plane, the Wall Street Journal has confirmed that the payment was, in fact, a ransom payment for the release of American hostages.

The White House and State Department have insisted that there was absolutely, positively, cross-their-hearts no connection between (a) an agreed-upon prisoner swap in which American hostages held by Iran were released, and (b) the settlement of Iran’s claim regarding $400 million (plus interest) withheld by the United States in connection with a failed 1970s arms deal.