US has agreed to unfreeze Iranian funds, according to a senior Iranian source, sparking fresh debate during ongoing talks. The claim surfaced on Saturday, but a US official quickly rejected it, saying no such agreement exists.
The Iranian source described the move as a positive signal from Washington. He said the issue of Iranian funds was raised in messages shared with the US side and that Tehran received a response suggesting approval. Iranian officials see this as a step toward building trust and moving closer to a deal.
The matter of Iranian funds is also linked to security in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian sources believe that easing financial pressure could help ensure safe passage through the key global shipping route, which remains a major concern in the discussions.
Another Iranian official said the US had agreed to release around $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds held in Qatar. These funds were first blocked in 2018 after US sanctions were reimposed. They were later included in a 2023 prisoner swap deal but were frozen again after regional tensions increased.
The money comes from Iran’s oil sales to South Korea and was transferred to accounts in Qatar. US officials had earlier said the funds could only be used for humanitarian needs like food, medicine, and medical supplies under strict monitoring.
Despite Iran’s claims, Washington continues to deny that it has agreed to unfreeze Iranian funds. The conflicting statements show how sensitive the talks remain and how far both sides still need to go to reach a clear agreement.
