Iranian media reported Saturday that Washington agreed to release $12 billion in frozen assets as a confidence-building step before formal bilateral talks resume.
Mehr news agency cited unnamed negotiators saying funds would move through Qatari banks under monitoring to ensure humanitarian and commercial use.
U.S. officials neither confirmed nor denied the figure publicly, citing sensitive financial diplomacy.
Economists said unlocking reserves could stabilize Iran’s currency, which plunged as sanctions tightened during the war.
Congressional critics warned that unfrozen money might indirectly support proxy militias despite contractual restrictions.
Banking lawyers noted that asset releases typically require weeks of compliance screening even after political approval.
Qatar National Bank branches in Doha extended hours Saturday as Iranian businessmen queued to ask whether correspondent accounts would reopen.
Treasury Department guidance issued quietly Friday reminded U.S. institutions that general licenses must be published before wire transfers can legally resume.
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Sources:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-israel-iran-war-live-updates-ceasefire-peace-deal-donald-trump-mojtaba-khamenei-benjamin-netanyahu-june-14-2026/article71100124.ece