The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that no frozen Iranian assets had been transferred.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

The United Arab Emirates has denied reports that it is releasing frozen Iranian assets as part of efforts to halt Iranian attacks on Gulf states, disputing a Reuters report that said billions of dollars could be transferred under an emerging arrangement involving Iran.

Reuters reported that the UAE was preparing to release between $10 billion and $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds.

The report said an initial installment of $3 billion would be provided in exchange for Iran agreeing to stop drone attacks as part of a broader peace agreement between the United States and Iran.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the claim, stating that no frozen Iranian assets had been transferred and that no such transactions had been facilitated through Emirati banks.

UAE officials said the country’s foreign policy remains focused on de-escalation, reducing tensions and promoting regional peace.

At the same time, they categorically denied reports concerning the transfer of $3 billion or any broader release of Iranian funds.

The dispute comes amid a lull in direct Iranian attacks on the UAE.

During the past month, Iran has directed missiles and drones toward Kuwait and Bahrain, while the UAE has not been targeted by new strikes.

The last known direct Iranian attack on the UAE took place on May 4, when Fujairah port on the Gulf of Oman was struck.

At the height of the conflict, Iran launched thousands of missiles and drones against the UAE, targeting civilian sites as well as energy and transportation infrastructure.

The attacks reportedly hit Dubai International Airport, luxury hotels and the Port of Fujairah.

According to reports, the attacks were carried out in retaliation for US-Israeli military strikes.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the UAE later responded with dozens of covert airstrikes against Iranian targets. The reported operations included strikes on Iranian assets such as the Lavan Island refinery.

Reuters reported that the proposed release of frozen funds was linked to efforts to stop Iranian drone attacks and support a broader diplomatic arrangement involving Washington and Tehran.

UAE officials, however, maintained that no Iranian assets have been unfrozen through the country’s banking system.

The post UAE to release $20 billion in frozen funds to Iran – report appeared first on World Israel News.

Earlier on Thursday, the president warned that the United States would strike Iran “very hard.”

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

President Donald Trump announced that he had canceled planned U.S. military strikes on Iran, saying discussions aimed at ending the conflict had advanced and received approval at the highest levels of Iranian leadership.

On Truth Social, Trump said he had decided not to proceed with attacks that had been scheduled for later in the evening.

“Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, I have, as President of the United States of America, cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening,” Trump wrote.

The announcement followed two consecutive evenings of strikes. On Thursday, the president warned that the United States would strike Iran “very hard.”

Trump said negotiations had reached an advanced stage and described broad regional involvement in the discussions.

“Discussions and final points have been, in both concept and great detail, approved by all parties involved, including the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and others,” he wrote.

He added that pressure on Iran would continue until an agreement is completed.

“The Naval Blockade will remain in full force and effect until this Transaction is finalized — Time and place of the signing to be announced shortly.”

The United States carried out two days of retaliatory operations targeting Iranian military and radar installations after Tehran downed an American Apache helicopter. During the confrontation, Iran launched ballistic missiles and drones at U.S. assets in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.

Despite Trump’s announcement, Iran has not approved any text for an initial memorandum of understanding with the United States, Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency cited an informed source close to Iran’s negotiating team as saying.

At the same time, Axios reported that key differences between the parties “were narrowed” during talks in Tehran between Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

A memorandum of understanding extending a fragile ceasefire currently in place has been under discussion while negotiations continue. The proposed framework calls for subsequent talks focused on Iran’s nuclear program.

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