Iran media says negotiators seek $24bn asset release in US deal

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TEHRAN: Iranian negotiators are demanding the release of approximately $24 billion in frozen overseas assets as part of a structured framework aimed at ending the ongoing war with the United States, semi-official state media reported on Tuesday.

According to a source close to Tehran’s negotiating team, the multi-billion-dollar financial demand is a core pillar outlined in a newly drafted 14-point memorandum of understanding between the two adversarial nations. 

Under the proposed terms, Iran expects an initial tranche of 50 percent, amounting to $12 billion, to be unlocked and fully accessible upon the official announcement of the bilateral memorandum.

To finalize the complex financial mechanisms and resolve outstanding diplomatic hurdles, a top-tier Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati arrived in Qatar for direct mediation talks.

While independent estimates place Iran’s total blocked funds worldwide between $100 billion and $123 billion, securing this immediate $24 billion remains Tehran’s primary prerequisite for advancing the peace process. Though preliminary discussions in Doha have been described as progressive, Iranian insiders emphasize they are proceeding with extreme caution due to Washington's historically volatile compliance record.