$6 billion of Iran's frozen assets held in Qatar will be released, says Pezeshkian
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- Iran says Qatar will release $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets despite renewed regional tensions.
- The announcement comes as Iranian and US technical teams prepare for talks in Doha to implement a recent memorandum of understanding.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Monday that Qatar will release $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets, even as negotiations with the United States face renewed pressure following a weekend of military escalation.
Pezeshkian's remarks mark the highest-level public confirmation from Tehran that part of the funds held in Qatar will be returned to Iran. US officials, however, have maintained that no frozen Iranian assets have been released.
According to Iran's state-run IRNA news agency, Pezeshkian said preparations were underway to transfer half of the estimated $12 billion in Iranian funds held in Qatar.
"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 said.
Qatar has played a central mediating role in indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
The announcement comes after a sharp escalation in regional tensions over the weekend.
Iran launched drone and missile attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait on Sunday following new US airstrikes against the Islamic Republic. Tehran also warned that negotiations aimed at ending the conflict could come to a "complete halt" if Washington continues its military attacks.
Despite the tensions, diplomatic efforts remain active.
A source familiar with the negotiations told Reuters that Iranian and US technical teams are expected to meet in Doha in the coming days to discuss implementation of a recently signed memorandum of understanding.
According to the Reuters source, mediators have maintained communication channels between the two sides in an effort to reduce tensions and preserve the negotiating process.
The planned meeting in Doha signals that both Tehran and Washington are continuing technical discussions despite military exchanges that have complicated broader diplomatic efforts.
The release of the frozen assets, if confirmed, could represent a significant confidence-building measure as negotiators seek to implement the agreement and prevent further escalation in the region.
