JAKARTA - Iran stated that at least 50 percent of its frozen assets must be immediately liquidated after the possible signing of a memorandum of understanding with the United States.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said various mechanisms were being studied to ensure Tehran's access to blocked funds in a possible understanding with Washington.
"At least, Iran demands that 50 percent of the funds be immediately available (for Iran) after the signing of the memorandum of understanding," Gharibabadi said, quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Friday, June 5.
He said the remaining funds must be disbursed within a period of time that Tehran considers reasonable, namely "no more than one or two months."
Gharibabadi said Iran would only consider a document as final if all its interests were reflected in it, including what he called immediately stopping the war and permanently on all fronts, including in Lebanon.
He said another important issue was the lifting of what Tehran described as a maritime blockade.
The official said Qatar could play a role in facilitating Iran's access to its frozen assets through alternative mechanisms, while Washington takes steps to lift restrictions on the funds.
He stressed that any alternative mechanism would not eliminate the US' responsibility to unfreeze Iran's blocked assets in accordance with the draft understanding being discussed.
According to Gharibabadi, the current draft - which has not been finalized - requires the US to release all frozen Iranian financial resources in line with the progress of the negotiation process.
He said the process should not exceed 60 days.
Gharibabadi also stated that the lifting of all unilateral US sanctions, including primary and secondary sanctions, as well as the normalization of Iran's status in the UN Security Council and the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) were some of Tehran's main demands.
Tensions in the region have been rising since late February after the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran.
The ceasefire, mediated by Pakistan, came into effect on April 8, while indirect contacts on a broader understanding are still ongoing.
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