High-level direct talks between the US and Iran resumed in Islamabad, but immediate disagreements surfaced over the release of frozen assets. This is the highest level of contact since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, with both sides expressing deep distrust. Separately, Israeli strikes on Lebanon continue, while President Trump is reportedly pressuring Netanyahu to avoid derailing the negotiations.
Iran claimed the US agreed to release frozen assets abroad, including in Qatar, but a US official later denied the report. This dispute coincides with ongoing US-Iran peace talks hosted in Pakistan. Key agenda items for the talks include opening the Strait of Hormuz and including Lebanon.
Iran insists on the release of its frozen assets as a non-negotiable condition for talks with the US. Tehran emphasizes that these frozen assets, locked up for years due to US actions, symbolize a long-standing grievance. Furthermore, Iran has also set a comprehensive ceasefire in Lebanon and an end to Israeli attacks as major demands.
An Iranian source reports that the US has agreed to release frozen Iranian assets, and the Iranian delegation is seeking implementation guarantees. An Iranian financial team has arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, to negotiate with the US side. Iran insists on practical guarantees due to the US's history of breaking commitments.
The US reportedly agreed to release $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets as part of negotiations to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. These funds, originally from Iranian oil sales to South Korea, have complex history, with humanitarian restrictions being a key sticking point. President Trump expressed confidence in the talks while simultaneously warning of potential military action if a deal is not reached.
Iran's frozen overseas assets have become a central issue in negotiations with the United States. These assets are crucial for Iran's foreign currency needs but have been inaccessible due to US sanctions. While some assets were released under the JCPOA, the overall issue of frozen assets remains unresolved.
The US has agreed to release Iran's frozen assets, but the Iranian delegation is seeking additional guarantees to ensure the commitment's reliability. This agreement was reached through pressure and negotiations, with financial consultations underway in Islamabad. Iranian sources noted that the asset unfreezing is directly linked to ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
An Iranian source claimed the US agreed to release frozen Iranian assets held in Qatar and other banks, but Washington denied the assertion. High-level delegations from both sides are meeting in Islamabad, with asset release appearing as a key issue linked to Strait of Hormuz security. These assets were frozen in 2018 and subsequently refrozen after the Hamas-Israel conflict in 2023.
Iran claims that partial unfreezing of assets held in foreign banks has been agreed upon with the U.S. However, the U.S. denies these claims. Tehran stated that the asset unfreezing is directly linked to ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
In talks between Iran and Pakistan, Iran strongly demanded the release of its frozen assets. Iran also insisted that the US must achieve a real ceasefire in Lebanon. Pakistan is playing a mediating role in shaping a potential future dialogue framework between Tehran and Washington.