The US and Qatar are discussing the unfreezing of Iranian assets.
20-06-2026 15:02:55 | | Press of Diaspora
1in.am The United States and Qatar are developing a plan for the unfreezing of Iranian assets for humanitarian needs. This is reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing informed sources, according to RTVI.
The discussion concerns $6 billion located in Qatar. These funds were transferred there from South Korea in 2023 as part of a deal for the release of five American citizens. At that time, the Biden administration had authorized the transfer but froze the funds after Hamas's attack on Israel in October.
The new mechanism suggests that Qatar will allow Iran's Central Bank to use the blocked funds to purchase food, medicine, and other humanitarian goods. Additional funds will be obtained from the sale of Iranian oil, which has been blocked abroad due to sanctions.
This scheme could serve as a model for the unfreezing of other Iranian frozen assets worldwide. The total volume of funds that Tehran wants to access first is estimated at $24 billion. Overall, Iran has about $100 billion in frozen assets in various countries, including China, India, Iraq, and Qatar.
On Wednesday, a deal signed by U.S. President Donald Trump obligates Washington to make Iranian frozen assets "fully available for use." He also agreed to allow Iran to resume oil sales by lifting corresponding sanctions. However, Tehran still needs to agree on the specific mechanism for using the unfrozen funds.
Critics of the deal argue that it gives Iran excessive concessions even before its agreement to limit its nuclear program. U.S. Vice President Jay D. Vance and other supporters of the agreement counter that the opening of the Strait of Hormuz will reduce pressure on the global economy, while Tehran's financial benefits will be limited until U.S. demands are met.
According to him, under the discussed mechanism, Washington will gain more control over Iran's purchases, which will provide the U.S. with additional leverage to influence Tehran.
Negotiations around the organization of the transfer of Qatari funds intensified at the end of May. At that time, Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf led a delegation in Doha. This helped restore the dynamics of the negotiations and prepare the ground for a memorandum of understanding.
Iran has a critical need for access to foreign currency. The country is experiencing a rapid economic crisis, accelerating inflation, and a collapse of its national currency.
However, analysts warn that significant easing of sanctions will be required for economic recovery. U.S. officials state that this will only happen after compliance with the nuclear program's requirements.
A White House official stated on Wednesday that Iran will gain access to the assets only if the memorandum is fulfilled, and additional concessions may be possible in exchange for "good behavior," such as the transfer of enriched uranium.
* This text was automatically translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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