US-Iran Talks Stall Over Billions in Frozen Assets as Tehran Seeks Phase 1 Release
Updated
Updated · The Jerusalem Post · Jun 4
US-Iran Talks Stall Over Billions in Frozen Assets as Tehran Seeks Phase 1 Release
3 articles · Updated · The Jerusalem Post · Jun 4
Summary
US-Iran negotiations have hit a major impasse after Tehran demanded immediate access to billions of dollars in frozen assets in the first phase of a memorandum of understanding.
US officials rejected that condition, telling mediators any sanctions relief or fund release must follow verifiable Iranian steps on its nuclear program and security arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz.
Regional mediators recently floated compromise options, including a humanitarian fund worth several billion dollars restricted to medicine, food and agricultural purchases, but that failed to satisfy Iran.
The standoff has become a central obstacle to even a preliminary MOU, which both sides had viewed as the opening step toward a broader nuclear agreement.