Iran Demands Immediate Release Of $12 Billion Assets Frozen In Qatar Amid Strait Of Hormuz Negotiations

Iran is demanding immediate access to $12 billion in frozen assets held in Qatar before moving forward with negotiations with the United States, according to reports by Iran International and Iranian media.

Iran International, citing a source familiar with the negotiations, reported that Tehran wants guaranteed access to the funds during the initial phase of a proposed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Washington.

The source said the $12 billion is only the first tranche Iran wants released and not the total amount of frozen assets Tehran is seeking globally.

According to the report, Iran has insisted that all of its frozen assets worldwide should eventually be released as part of an agreement.

IRGC-linked Tasnim News Agency also reported that disagreements remain between Tehran and Washington over several clauses of the proposed MoU, including the issue of frozen assets.

Tasnim said Iran wants at least part of its blocked funds released during the first stage of any agreement and has said the money must be fully accessible to Tehran.

The report added that Washington has sought to link the release of the assets to a final nuclear agreement, while Iran wants some of the funds released before any final deal is reached.

Tasnim later reported that US objections to some Iranian demands, including the release of frozen assets, were continuing and that there remains a possibility the agreement could fail.

The negotiations are also linked to discussions on sanctions relief, regional tensions and the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.

According to regional media reports, the draft MoU includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz without tolls and clearing mines reportedly deployed during recent regional tensions in the region.

In return, the United States would reportedly ease restrictions on Iranian ports and waive some sanctions affecting Iranian oil exports, potentially allowing Tehran to increase oil sales.

Per reports, discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme and enriched uranium stockpile would likely take place during later negotiations, although the proposed MoU would reportedly call on Iran to stop pursuing nuclear weapons.

Iranian media also reported that the initial agreement could include commitments by both sides not to attack each other or their allies during a proposed 60-day ceasefire period.

In April, Reuters reported that Washington had agreed to release part of Iran’s frozen funds held in Qatar, although a US official later denied the claim.

Reuters said the funds were linked to Iranian oil sales to South Korea and had been transferred to Qatari accounts under a 2023 prisoner swap agreement. The money, however, remained restricted for humanitarian use under US oversight.

Iran’s state media reported on Monday that Central Bank chief Abdolnaser Hemmati travelled to Qatar after talks in Tehran with a Qatari delegation regarding Iran’s frozen funds.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also arrived in Doha for meetings with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

According to Reuters, the discussions in Doha are expected to focus on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile as negotiations continue.

References: iranintl, wionews