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"President Masoud Pezeshkian claimed $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets would be released by Qatar, as U.S.-Iran negotiations faced renewed tensions over the Strait of Hormuz."
Iran’s Claims of Asset Release Conflicted with U.S. Denials
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian asserted on Monday that $6 billion in frozen assets held by Qatar would be released, calling it “a great victory for the Iranian people” in comments published by the state-run IRNA news agency. “Based on the plans made, $6 billion out of the total $12 billion of Iranian resources in Qatar will be released and returned to the country,” he stated, though no official confirmation of the transfer has emerged from U.S. or Qatari authorities.
The U.S. administration has consistently denied any movement of funds, with a senior official telling The New York Post that “none of this money is ever going to touch Iran.” The $6 billion in question originated from Iranian oil sales years ago, transferred to Qatar in 2023 as part of a prisoner exchange deal. However, Washington has held the funds in limbo since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks in Israel, which prompted renewed sanctions on Tehran.
Iran’s claims contradict statements from Qatar, which has not acknowledged any such transfer. Meanwhile, U.S. officials emphasized that any humanitarian aid funded by the assets would bypass Iran’s government entirely, directing payments to “approved vendors supplying humanitarian goods” instead. “Every single piece of this process, we retain control,” the official said, highlighting the memorandum of understanding (MOU) that outlines strict oversight of the funds.
Strait of Hormuz Tensions and Diplomatic Maneuvers
The dispute over frozen assets coincided with escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas trade. Iran has twice attacked vessels near Omani waters this week, prompting U.S. airstrikes and raising fears of a broader conflict. The U.S.-Iran MOU, signed earlier this year, aims to de-escalate the crisis by designating the strait as toll-free for 60 days and establishing a joint committee to manage its use.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed the first meeting of the Joint Hormuz Committee during a trip to Muscat, stating that officials “exchanged views on the future management” of the waterway. However, Oman has sent mixed signals: while it initially agreed to discuss tolls and routes, it later denied planning any “passage fees” and proposed a “temporary maritime corridor” under UN coordination. Iran rejected this, insisting its own coastal corridor was the only authorized route.
The U.S. has repeatedly criticized Iran’s demand for tolls, emphasizing that the strait is an international waterway. “The text says the strait is to be toll-free,” a U.S. official noted, referencing the MOU. Yet Iran’s aggressive actions, including drone and missile attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait on Sunday, have undermined trust in the agreement.
U.S. Strategy and Concerns Over Fund Usage
The administration’s approach to the frozen assets reflects a broader strategy of limiting Iran’s financial leverage while maintaining diplomatic pressure. Officials argue the MOU ensures Washington retains control over any economic relief, with payments only flowing to “approved vendors” for humanitarian goods. This arrangement, they claim, incentivizes Iran to cooperate on nuclear inspections and other negotiations.
However, critics like Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defending Democracies have warned that the deal risks enabling Iran’s economy. “There is a world of difference between doing what you can to stop the world’s foremost state sponsor of terrorism from getting more dollars, to turning a blind eye to literally enabling it,” he told The New York Post.
The $6 billion fund is separate from the $10 billion in potential oil revenue Iran could gain from a 60-day sanctions waiver under the MOU. While U.S. officials downplayed the waiver, noting Iran already sells oil on the black market, experts argue it still provides Tehran with a financial lifeline. “The system ensures the money never enters Iranian government accounts and can be shut off immediately if talks collapse,” a senior official said, citing the MOU’s terms.
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