Iran has asked for $12 billion worth of frozen assets held in Qatar to be released as a part of its peace deal with the US, according to Tasnim News agency reports on Tuesday. Tasnim News Agency is a semi-official news agency in Iran with connections to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The report further stated the estimated sum total value of the frozen assets is at $24 billion. Iran has insisted on $12 billion being released along with an MOU (Memorandum Of Announcement).
The new agency further stated that talks with Qatar were positive, and led to progress, citing sources close to negotiators.
According to sources cited by Iran International in previous news reports, the $12 billion would only be the first tranche that Tehran is requesting in order to start the suggested diplomatic route; it was not the total sum that Iran eventually wants released globally in accordance with a more comprehensive accord.
Iran had reportedly emphasised that any final agreement with Washington must eventually unfreeze and make all of its frozen foreign assets completely accessible.
Qatar's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majed Al Ansari, rejected reports claiming the country offered Iran $12 billion to help secure a peace agreement with the United States.
"The reports suggesting Qatar 'offered' $12 billion to Iran to secure a deal are simply not true and are being circulated by parties attempting to sabotage the deal and undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts toward regional de-escalation and stability." he said in an 'X' post.
He further added, "Qatar's diplomatic role, in coordination with regional partners, is well established and publicly documented, and such narratives are nothing more than desperate attempts to tarnish Qatar's reputation as a trusted international peace facilitator."
Iran's top negotiator and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was in Doha on Monday for talks with Qatar's Prime Minister on a potential deal to end the three-month-old war, even as both Washington and Tehran downplayed hopes of an imminent breakthrough.
(This is a developing story.)
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