‘$6bn in frozen assets in Qatar will be released’

Iranian prez Pezeshkian hails interim deal as ‘great victory’, says half of Tehran’s frozen funds in Qatar will return home

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. 

Masoud Pezeshkian Iran’s President 

Dubai: Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets held in Qatar would be released under an interim deal with the US.

Calling the agreement “a great victory for the Iranian people”, Pezeshkian said the funds would be repatriated. Pezeshkian is the highest-ran­k­ing Iranian official to publicly re­fer to the funds’ release. 

Iran WARNS AGAINST BYPASSING STRAIT WAY

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on Sunday attempts by shipping companies to bypass Tehran’s preferred route through the strait would heighten tensions.

“Any attempt to adopt new or separate arrangements compared to what is underway by Iran will only lead to more complicated situations and delays in the reopening of the strait, and will increase the tensions,” he said.

Meanwhile, the IRGC said it was taking measures to control traffic through the strait and warned that vessels violating those measures would face firm action. Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, wrote on X as long as Iran managed the strait, Washington’s “hegemonic dreams in the region will not be realised”.

AL SAUD, MACRON DISCUSS ISSUES 

Saudi Crown Prince and PM Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed regional and international developments during a phone call, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The leaders reviewed the Iran-US MoU and efforts to advance solutions to streng­th­en the regional security and stability. They underscored the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation and supporting diplomatic efforts to ease tensions. They discu­ssed bilateral cooperation and regional and global issues of mutual concern. —Agencies

IRAQI LEADERS and ARAGHCHI MEET

I raqi President Nizar Amedi and PM Ali al-Zaidi held separate talks with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi in Baghdad on the recent Iran-US MoU to end the war. Amedi underscored the importance of dialogue in fostering regional stability and reaching lasting solutions to outstanding issues, the Iraqi presidency said. Al-Zaidi said Iraq supports ending conflicts through dialogue and negotiations to strengthen regional stability and create opportunities for development and prosperity, according to a statement. Araghchi thanked Iraq for its role in containing crises and bridging differences.