Iran Seeks Release of Half Its Frozen Assets in U.S. Talks

Iran’s deputy foreign minister said Tehran wants at least half of its frozen assets released immediately after signing a memorandum of understanding with the United States. “At minimum, the Islamic Republic of Iran insists that 50 percent of these funds be made available to Iran immediately upon the signing of the memorandum of understanding,” the deputy foreign minister told Iran’s Mehr news agency.

The official added that Iran expects the money to be released within one to two months after any deal is signed.

Background on the Assets Iran holds billions of dollars in assets frozen around the world because of sanctions. Some of the funds date to the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. A nonresident senior fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs previously told Al Jazeera that the total value remains unclear but is likely a “very substantial sum.”

the Negotiations The comments come amid ongoing talks between Iran and the United States. No agreement has been announced. The deputy foreign minister’s statement sets a specific condition for any memorandum of understanding.