Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets held in Qatar will be released and returned to Iran under recent arrangements linked to the interim understanding with the United States.
The announcement came as fresh attacks over the weekend tested the fragile US-Iran negotiating process, while technical teams from both sides are expected to meet in Doha in the coming days.
Pezeshkian is the highest-ranking Iranian official to publicly refer to the release of funds held by Qatar, a key mediator in the negotiations alongside Pakistan.
“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, and necessary follow-ups are being carried out,” Pezeshkian was quoted as saying by Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency.
So far, US officials have said that no frozen Iranian assets have been released.
Statement made during meeting in Qom
Pezeshkian made the remarks during a meeting with Grand Ayatollah Mousa Shobeiri Zanjani in the holy city of Qom.
He said the $6 billion represented half of Iran’s $12 billion in assets currently held in Qatar, adding that efforts were continuing to secure the release of the remaining amount.
Iran calls MoU victory
The Iranian president described the recent Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States as a major victory for the Iranian people.
Also Read: Iran calls for security framework with Gulf after US strikes
He said the agreement includes the removal of sanctions on Iran’s oil and petrochemical sectors.
Pezeshkian said Iran’s strength was the result of unity between the people, the armed forces and the government.
President praises national resilience
Pezeshkian said the Iranian people had defeated what he described as US and Israeli plans to weaken the country.
He said that despite the martyrdom of senior officials, military commanders, prominent figures and students during the recent war imposed by the US and Israel, Iran’s public, army and government stood together to defend the country.
“We did not let the enemies achieve their goals in Iran,” he said.
The remarks came after Iran launched drone and missile attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait on Sunday following new US airstrikes against the Islamic Republic.
Iran also warned of a “complete halt” in negotiations to end the war if Washington continued its attacks.
A source familiar with the talks said Iranian and US technical teams working on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding are expected to meet in Doha in the coming days.
Talks expected to continue in Qatar
According to the source, mediators have established communication channels to de-escalate incidents, and technical talks are set to continue.
Axios reported Sunday that the US and Iran had agreed to stop attacks and meet in Qatar. A senior US official said “nothing had been canceled” regarding the talks expected this week.
Also Read: Iran, US agree to halt attacks and renew talks: US official
One official said vessels could move freely for now, while another confirmed the upcoming meeting.
Iran reaffirms nuclear position
Pezeshkian also reaffirmed Iran’s position on its nuclear program, saying Tehran is not seeking nuclear weapons. He said Iran’s nuclear activities would continue in line with the country’s declared policy and national needs.
The Iranian president added that the martyred Supreme Leader had already stated that Iran did not want to build nuclear weapons.
Alongside reconstruction efforts after recent attacks, Pezeshkian said his government had expanded social support measures. He said the value of electronic food assistance vouchers had also been increased as part of efforts to support the public.
US pressured Israel to accept MoU
Pezeshkian claimed the United States ultimately compelled Israel to accept the recent MoU despite opposition from the Israeli regime and some monarchist groups.
He said the US and Israel had tried to destabilize Iran through economic pressure and attacks on key infrastructure, including gas production facilities, steel plants and the petrochemical sector, while also attempting to restrict Iranian oil exports.
According to him, those efforts failed due to public support and national unity.
Grand Ayatollah Shobeiri Zanjani thanked President Pezeshkian and other Iranian officials for their efforts. He also emphasized what he described as the Islamic Republic’s distinguished standing in the Islamic world.
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