US denies Iran to receive billions of dollars ahead of talks

Senior US official rejects Iranian claims that billions in frozen funds will be released before talks.

By World Israel News Staff

A senior US official rejected Iranian claims that Tehran would receive billions of dollars in frozen assets before negotiations on a final agreement, pushing back against reports from Iranian media about the financial terms of an emerging US-Iran memorandum of understanding.

The official, speaking to Axios, called the Iranian account “spin” and denied that Iran would receive unconditional access to $12 billion before the start of a proposed 60-day negotiating period.

“This is completely not true. This is a pay-for-performance deal and no frozen funds will be released without the Iranians implementing their commitments,” the official said.

The denial came after Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency published what it described as clauses from a draft agreement with the US.

According to that version, Washington would authorize the release of $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets before formal negotiations begin, with another $12 billion to be released during the following 60 days.

Other reporting on the draft has described a broader framework that would include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports, temporary waivers on oil sanctions, and negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.

Reuters, citing a senior Iranian official, reported that the draft memorandum covered oil sanctions, frozen assets, the Strait of Hormuz and limits on Iran’s nuclear activity.

The conflicting accounts underscore the fragility of the emerging agreement, which President Donald Trump said Sunday had been completed.

“The deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that he had authorized the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the removal of the US naval blockade.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the text of the memorandum had been finalized and would be signed in Switzerland on Friday. He said the agreement would be followed by 60 days of negotiations after verification of US commitments, including steps connected to the blockade.

“The text … will be released soon, and the public will be able to see both Iran’s achievements and its commitments,” Gharibabadi said.

The financial terms remain among the most politically sensitive parts of the arrangement. Mehr’s version suggested a front-loaded release of Iranian funds, while Axios reported that US officials have insisted any sanctions relief or access to frozen money would be tied to Iranian compliance.

Axios reported Friday that the draft memorandum would reopen the Strait of Hormuz immediately without tolls and extend a ceasefire for 60 days, during which negotiations would address nuclear issues.

The outlet also reported that US and regional mediators had discussed a mechanism allowing Iran access to some frozen funds in Qatar for humanitarian purchases.