Iran Demands Immediate Release of Half Its Frozen Assets Upon Signing Any Memorandum

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that Iran demands the United States release a minimum of 50% of its frozen assets abroad immediately after signing any potential memorandum of understanding between the two sides.

In an interview with the Mehr news agency, Gharibabadi explained that the issue of releasing Iran's frozen funds is a matter that serves Iran's interests and requires resolution. He added that the determination of which portion should be released first and which could be released later after a certain period remains under discussion.

Gharibabadi emphasized that Iran insists on transferring at least half of its frozen assets promptly following the signing of the memorandum of understanding, with the remaining portion to be released after a reasonable time interval.

The Iranian official clarified that these funds do not belong to Western countries or the United States in a way that would require Tehran to negotiate or seek assistance or financing. Instead, he described the assets as purely Iranian funds that the United States illegally froze and prevented other countries from transferring or making available to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Earlier reports from the Tasnim news agency, citing a source close to the Iranian negotiation team, indicated that Tehran included in its 14-point proposal for resolving the crisis a demand for the United States to release $24 billion of Iranian assets frozen abroad.

According to Tasnim, Iran requests to receive half of these funds in the initial phase upon reaching a memorandum of understanding to halt the conflict, with the other half to be released later after completing negotiations related to the nuclear file. The agency added that progress has already been made regarding the first installment.