11.04.2026 14:10
The first face-to-face contact after the war between the US and Iran will take place today in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. In the talks, where the parties will participate with different demands, topics such as the nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz, and regional security are prominent. Before the talks began, a senior Iranian official claimed that the US had approved the release of frozen Iranian assets. The White House denied the allegation.
The first crisis erupted in Islamabad, Pakistan, before negotiations between the US and Iran had even begun. A senior Iranian source claimed that the US had agreed to release Iranian assets held in Qatar and other foreign banks. However, a US official quickly denied this claim.
IRAN: A SIGN OF SERIOUSNESS
The Iranian source assessed Washington's move as a "sign of seriousness" ahead of the planned talks in Islamabad. It was noted that among the demands conveyed to the US by the Tehran administration as part of the negotiations was the release of frozen assets.
While the source claimed that Iran had received approval from the US on this matter, it emphasized that this development could directly affect the course of the negotiations.
EMPASIS ON THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ
The unnamed source stated that the release of the assets was linked to ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. It was reported that this issue is expected to be among the key topics in the negotiations.
WHITE HOUSE DENIAL
Following Iran's statement, the White House denied reports that the US had agreed to release Iran's frozen assets. A US official stated that negotiations with Iran had not yet begun and therefore no agreement had been negotiated or finalized.
CLAIM OF 6 BILLION DOLLARS
Another Iranian source claimed that the US had agreed to release a 6 billion dollar Iranian fund held in Qatar. However, there has been no official statement from the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding this claim.
BACKGROUND OF THE FUNDS: FROM SANCTIONS TO PRISONER EXCHANGE
The 6 billion dollar fund in question consists of revenue from Iran's oil sales to South Korea. These assets were frozen in South Korean banks after the US reimposed sanctions on Iran in 2018.
In 2023, as part of a prisoner exchange facilitated by Qatar between the US and Iran, the release of the funds was planned, but after the Hamas attacks on October 7, the US administration suspended this process again.
At that time, the US side had stated that the funds could only be used for humanitarian purposes and would be kept under strict supervision.