Iran's frozen assets remain one of the controversial issues, although the international community is welcoming the peace agreement between the US and Iran.
Mehr news agency has published the content of the memorandum of understanding including 14 clauses, in which it states that the US agrees to release the frozen assets before entering a round of negotiations focused on key issues, including Iran's nuclear program.
The document released by Mehr stipulates the disbursement of a total of 24 billion USD of Iran's frozen assets during a 60-day negotiation period, starting after the memorandum of understanding is signed.
According to the content of the document that has not been officially confirmed by the parties, half of this amount, equivalent to 12 billion USD, must be transferred to Iran before negotiations begin.
However, the US quickly rejected the above interpretation. A US official told Axios that no frozen money would be disbursed if Iran had not fulfilled its commitments. "This is an agreement in exchange for real results" - this official emphasized.
On June 14, US President Donald Trump announced that the US and Iran had reached a peace agreement. One of the important results of the agreement is that the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened after months of traffic activities that were almost stalled due to fighting.
Tasnim news agency quoted Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi as saying that negotiations aimed at reaching a final agreement will take place within 60 days, provided that Washington fulfills its commitments, including ending hostilities, lifting the blockade and freezing Iran's frozen assets.
According to Iranian media, the peace agreement between the US and Iran also includes ending hostilities in Lebanon.
The issue of Iran's frozen assets was previously mentioned by the US. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that these assets could be used to compensate Washington's Gulf allies if they suffer losses in future conflicts related to Tehran.
Last week, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that using Iranian assets to pay for other countries would be an act of breach of the agreement.
Meanwhile, the US-Iran peace agreement has been widely welcomed around the world. The UK, Germany, France and Italy are among the first countries to declare their willingness to lift sanctions against Iran if it takes clear and verifiable steps.
The new agreement is expected to help stabilize the Middle East, where ceasefires are constantly broken by retaliatory attacks.
Prolonged instability has strongly impacted the global energy and stock markets, pushing prices of many commodities to skyrocket. Currently, investors are closely monitoring whether the US and Iran can resolve final disagreements related to the amount of assets frozen, because this is considered one of the key conditions determining the success of the peace process.
