US to release $12b in frozen assets, Iranian media reports
According to the document published by Mehr, a total of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets would be released during a 60-day negotiation period following the conclusion of the memorandum
The United States is set to release $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets before the commencement of negotiations with Tehran, Iran's Mehr news agency reported today (15 June), citing a 14-point memorandum of understanding between the two countries, reports AFP.
According to the document published by Mehr, a total of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets would be released during a 60-day negotiation period following the conclusion of the memorandum.
The document states that "half of this amount must be made available to Iran before the start of the negotiations."
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The memorandum cited by Mehr has not been officially confirmed by either Washington or Tehran.
US and Iranian officials said they had reached an agreement to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a preliminary pact that sent oil prices lower but leaves the future of Tehran's nuclear programme subject to further negotiations.
Although still a framework agreement, the deal marks the most significant breakthrough yet in efforts to resolve a conflict that has killed thousands and disrupted global energy markets since it began with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February.
"The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete," US President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform at around 5:30pm in Washington (2130 GMT) on Sunday.
Trump's announcement came shortly after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country has acted as a mediator between the two sides, said a deal had been reached early Monday local time.
The memorandum of understanding underpinning the agreement is scheduled to be formally signed in Switzerland on Friday.
