Iran says $6B of its funds in Qatar ‘should be released’ under US deal

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Monday that $6 billion of Iran’s funds held in Qatar “should be released” and returned to the country under the agreement with the US.​​​​​​​

“Based on the plans made, $6 billion out of a total of $12 billion of Iran’s funds in Qatar should be released and returned to the country,” Pezeshkian said during a meeting with Grand Ayatollah Shobeiri Zanjani, according to ISNA news agency.​​​​​​​

He added that “necessary follow-ups are underway” for the return of the remaining funds.

The Iranian president described the recently signed memorandum of understanding with the US as “a great victory for the Iranian people,” adding that oil and petrochemical sanctions “have been lifted as per the understanding.”

He reaffirmed Iran’s longstanding position on its nuclear activities, saying late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had previously “clearly stated that Iran is not seeking to build nuclear weapons,” adding that Tehran continues to uphold the same stance.

“We assure the international community that these activities will be used in accordance with the country’s needs and within the framework of our declared policies,” Pezeshkian said.

On June 18, Iran and the US reached a memorandum of understanding that included provisions on ending hostilities, lifting the US naval blockade on Iranian ports and reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz for global energy supplies.

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