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Pres.: Iran to Get $6B in Frozen Assets06/29 06:23
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Iran's president said Monday that $6
billion in frozen Iranian assets would be released by Qatar, as negotiations
with the United States were challenged by attacks across the Persian Gulf this
weekend.
Masoud Pezeshkian 's mention of the funds appear aimed at selling the
Iranian public on the interim deal, particularly as its grip on the Strait of
Hormuz has been tested by efforts to open Oman's territorial waters to both
inbound and outbound traffic from the Persian Gulf. Iran's attacks and threats
stopped cargo ships and tankers from moving through the strait, in which about
a fifth of all traded oil and natural gas passed in peacetime, creating a
global energy crisis.
The strait has long been considered an international waterway despite its
location in Iran and Oman's territorial waters. In recent days, Iran has twice
attacked vessels going through a route near the Omani side, drawing retaliatory
American airstrikes and concerns that negotiations to reach a formal end to the
war could be disrupted. Iran launched drone and missile attacks targeting
Bahrain and Kuwait on Sunday.
Pezeshkian says $6 billion coming to Iran
Pezeshkian offered praise for the interim deal in comments published Monday
by the state-run IRNA news agency, calling it "a great victory for the Iranian
people."
"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," he said. He did not elaborate.
Pezeshkian, a reformist within Iran's theocracy, is the highest-ranking
official within Iran to reference the release of the funds held by Qatar, a key
mediator along with Pakistan in the negotiations. So far, U.S. officials say no
frozen Iranian assets have been released. Qatar as well as has not acknowledged
any such transfer and Iran attacked a tanker filled with Qatari crude oil this
weekend during the crossfire in the Persian Gulf.
Confusion mounts over next round of Iran-US talks
Meanwhile Monday, confusion mounted about when the next round of talks
between Iran and the U.S. would be held.
Pakistan, a key mediator, has said talks would resume Tuesday. The Trump
administration on Sunday said nothing has been canceled and technical talks are
on track for the coming days.
But Kazem Gharibabadi, a senior negotiator for Iran, denied any talks had
been scheduled, in comments published by IRNA.
"Although consultations with Qatar, including on following up on the
implementation of the other side's commitments, are continuing as usual,
reports by some media about technical talks by the working groups being held in
Doha are not confirmed," he said.
Technical talks involve lower-level diplomats working on the specifics of
any deal that would draw top leaders from Iran and the U.S. back to the table.
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