Iranian president says $6 billion in frozen assets could soon be released from Qatar

Tehran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has claimed that $6 billion of Iran's $12 billion in frozen assets held in Qatar will soon be released, marking what he described as the first phase of the funds' transfer to Iran.

Speaking to Iran's state news agency, Pezeshkian said efforts are also underway to secure the release of the remaining frozen assets.

The Iranian president said the development comes in the context of ongoing negotiations with the United States, adding that Iran's demand for the gradual restoration of its frozen assets had been accepted during the talks.

However, U.S. officials have not confirmed Pezeshkian's claim. They stated that no funds from the frozen Iranian assets in Qatar have been transferred to Iran so far.

According to U.S. officials, any future financial relief or release of frozen assets will depend on progress in negotiations and Iran's compliance with the agreed conditions.

Under a reported memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, a proposal to release an initial $6 billion from the $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets held in Qatar is said to be under consideration.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump said that the United States would maintain control over Iran's frozen assets and suggested that the funds could be used to purchase food and livestock from American farmers for humanitarian assistance to Iran in an effort to help address food shortages.