A U.S. official told i24NEWS that claims suggesting $3 billion in frozen Iranian funds are about to be released are false. The official said no frozen assets will be released unless Iran meets detailed requirements in the memorandum of understanding — and any released funds would be used solely to purchase American agricultural products for the Iranian people.
A US official has denied reports that $3 billion in frozen Iranian funds are being released, telling i24NEWS that no frozen assets have been unlocked and none will be unless Tehran meets the requirements of the memorandum of understanding (MOU). The statement comes after a series of reports earlier today, all published at 14:35 Jerusalem time on Wednesday, which claimed that a preliminary agreement for the release of the funds had been reached, with some suggesting the deal was finalized. The US denial marks the first official American response to the flurry of reports, pushing back against claims circulating in Iranian media and among analysts.
The story has evolved rapidly over the course of the day. At 14:35 Jerusalem, multiple reports emerged nearly simultaneously: a Saudi outlet first reported a preliminary agreement to release the funds, citing unnamed sources; an additional Saudi report then claimed the agreement was finalized; and i24NEWS reported that Iran and Qatar had reached a preliminary deal, with Iran denying plans to meet with US officials. The reports were unverified at the time. The new US denial — the desk's latest update — is the first official Western refutation, casting doubt on the earlier claims and underscoring that no funds have moved.
The debate over Iran's frozen assets has been a recurring flashpoint, as The Zioneer has reported. Earlier this week, a US official confirmed that no $6 billion in frozen funds have been released until Tehran meets demands under the 2023 MOU. Last month, Iran's central bank governor claimed $12 billion would be unlocked in a first phase, while Tehran has repeatedly demanded the release of frozen funds — with figures ranging from $6 billion to $24 billion — as a condition for diplomatic progress.
It remains unclear which reports prompted the US denial or whether the earlier Saudi and i24NEWS reports were based on the same or separate sources. The denial addresses what the US says is a false claim, but does not specify the origin of the reports or confirm whether negotiations over the funds are ongoing.
4 developments
- ConfirmedUS official confirms no $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds released until Tehran meets demands
- DevelopingUS official: No frozen funds released until Iran fulfills commitments
- StrongVP Vance denies any frozen Iranian assets released so far
- DevelopingKhamenei adviser: Trump agreed to release $24B in frozen Iranian assets but won't say so publicly
Source and signal
- Internal intake