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US Contemplates Working with Qatar to Unfreeze Funds for Humanitarian Spending in Iran: WSJ Report
The plan would let Qatar buy food and medicine with $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets as Washington seeks a staged release, officials said.
On Friday, The Wall Street Journal reported the United States and Qatar are charting a plan for releasing $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds as part of the recently signed peace pact between Tehran and Washington.
Iran seeks access to its estimated $100 billion in frozen assets worldwide, with the initial $6 billion held in Qatar designated for food and medicine purchases ordered by Iran's central bank.
Negotiations over these assets began in late May in Doha, while President Donald Trump told reporters on Wednesday that the funds belong to Iran, stating, "At a certain point in time, I guess we're going to have to give it back."
The Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday that planned talks between the United States and Iran have been postponed, despite the 14-point MoU outlining terms for ending hostilities and the US pledge to make assets "fully available for use."
This plan could set a precedent for releasing more funds, including an immediate $24 billion pool Tehran seeks; officials stated these assets will remain available as long as Iran continues participating in negotiations.