Iran's $6 Billion in U.S. Assets Not Unfrozen Until Tehran Abides by Deal

JAKARTA - Iran is reported to have not received funds of 6 billion US dollars (about Rp. 106.7 trillion) which had previously been promised to be disbursed as part of the implementation of a memorandum of understanding with the United States.

Citing a US official, The New York Post, reported that the frozen funds would not be released before Iran fulfilled the provisions contained in the memorandum of understanding.

"No frozen funds have been unfrozen, and no funds will be unfrozen until Iran meets the requirements outlined in the memorandum of understanding," the official said, quoted by ANTARA from Sputnik, Wednesday, July 1.

According to the official, Washington plans to disburse the funds gradually as the implementation of the agreement progresses.

"Iran will be able to access the disbursement of funds gradually after reopening the Strait of Hormuz, stopping transit fees, and fulfilling other stages," he said.

Earlier on the same day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tehran would likely hold talks with Qatar on July 1. Qatar acted as a mediator in the dialogue between Iran and the United States to discuss the implementation of the memorandum of understanding.

However, on Monday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Iran's funds of 6 billion US dollars frozen in Qatar had been confirmed to be disbursed and transferred to Tehran.

Iran and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding on June 18. The document includes an agreement to end the military conflict that began on February 28, as well as setting a schedule for lifting the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and restoring shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.