Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian announced on Monday that half of the nation’s frozen assets, amounting to $12 billion housed in Qatar, will soon be “released and transferred to Iran,” though the status of the remaining funds is still uncertain.
According to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Pezeshkian stated that the $6 billion set to be released forms part of an agreement with the United States, describing these assets as gains from vanquished adversaries.
Pezeshkian mentioned that despite losses of prominent figures during recent conflicts attributed to the United States and Israel, the unity of the Iranian populace, military, and government has thwarted the enemies’ objectives.
He further elaborated that the U.S. and Israel aim to undermine Iran through economic strain and targeted attacks on crucial infrastructure such as gas plants, steel production, and the petrochemical industry, alongside limitations on Iran’s oil exports. Yet, he claims these efforts have faltered thanks to national solidarity.
Pezeshkian deemed the recent Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the U.S., facilitated by Pakistan, a significant triumph for the Iranian people, asserting it includes lifts on sanctions affecting Iran’s oil and petrochemical sectors.
The Iranian president also addressed the U.S. allegedly pressuring the “Israeli regime” to accept the stipulations laid out in the Memorandum concerning Lebanon. He reiterated Iran’s longstanding stance against nuclear weapons while asserting a commitment to continue enriching uranium beyond what might be considered peaceful aims, to fulfill the nation’s declared requirements.
Reports from IranWire suggested that Pezeshkian’s optimistic outlook lacked crucial details, such as when these funds would be available and how Iran would gain access to them.
Additionally, The Hill noted that Qatar had remained mostly silent about the situation involving Iranian funds after an incident where Iran targeted a Panama-flagged oil tanker.
President Donald Trump asserted on Monday that discussions with Iran were scheduled in Doha, Qatar, for the following day, but Iranian officials refuted that claim.
Iran’s chief negotiator, Kazem Gharibabadi, mentioned that dialogues with Qatar regarding compliance are ongoing, yet some reports about technical discussions in Doha were unverified.
The Trump administration has indicated that Iran might be allowed to access $6 billion in frozen assets in Qatar, but only for purchasing “humanitarian and non-sanctioned goods,” which notably includes American agricultural products.
U.S. officials also mentioned that the unfreezing of Iran’s funds would occur in phases, contingent on how well Iran adheres to its commitments regarding the Strait of Hormuz, while stressing that Iran would maintain its activities in the region.
