Ransom to Iran?

Althouse looks at the story of the cash payment to Iran.

The Iranians are, in essence, saying it was needed as a quid pro quo but the Obama administration is denying that it was a ransom payment.

Aside from the convoluted explanation that this is a bargain because of a case that has yet to be decided, the issue of secrecy should be considered, namely, "If there was nothing wrong with the payment, then why was it kept secret and if there was a concern that it might be regarded as a ransom payment, then why was it made at that time?"

The Iranians obviously knew of the payment. The American people did not. 

Try squaring that with basic ethics and the assertion that it was not a ransom payment.