US-Iran Working-Level Talks End: Agreement Reached to Unfreeze $3 Billion in Assets

"Foundation Laid for Resumption of High-Level Talks"
"Talks Expected to Resume After Khamenei's Funeral"

Reuters Yonhap News

The working-level talks between the United States and Iran, held in Doha, Qatar, have concluded. In these talks, both sides reportedly agreed to unfreeze $3 billion (approximately 4.67 trillion won) of Iranian assets and to exercise mutual restraint from conflict. The two countries are expected to resume high-level talks after the funeral of Iran's former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, which will begin on July 4.

On July 1 (local time), Axios, citing anonymous sources, reported, "The United States and Iran smoothly conducted their working-level negotiations, agreed to refrain from mutual clashes, and laid the groundwork for resuming high-level talks in the future." The report also noted, "The U.S. side persuaded Iran that support through a nuclear agreement and a regional peace accord would be far more economically valuable than collecting tolls in the Strait of Hormuz."

Some sources also reported that the United States has promised to unfreeze $3 billion of Iranian assets. The Saudi Arabian media outlet Al Arabiya, quoting sources, stated, "An agreement has been reached to release $3 billion of Iranian funds frozen in Qatar," and added, "Iran stipulated that $3 billion should be unfrozen with each significant step forward in negotiations." However, Al Arabiya reported that the method of payment and the exact date for the release of the frozen assets have not yet been determined.

The Iranian side also suggested that there had been discussions regarding the partial release of frozen assets. Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister who led the Iranian working-level delegation, said in an interview with Iran's state-run IRNA news agency, "In meetings with Qatari officials, including the Central Bank of Qatar, we discussed the use of part of the frozen assets and agreed to purchase and provide the goods we need." He added, "We held the first meeting of a compliance monitoring group to address and improve MOU violations, and also agreed to establish an emergency communication channel."

U.S. President Donald Trump also praised the outcome, saying that a good deal had been reached with Iran. At a press conference before boarding a private jet gifted by Qatar, President Trump said, "We had a very good meeting with them, and we will see what happens going forward," emphasizing, "It seems the negotiating team has made significant progress. Iran's denuclearization is proceeding well."

The date for high-level talks between the United States and Iran is expected to be set after Khamenei's funeral. Majid Al Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) immediately after the working-level talks, "The next round of talks is scheduled to take place as soon as possible after Khamenei's funeral." Khamenei's funeral is scheduled to be held over five days, from July 4 to July 9.

However, it is expected that it will take more time for follow-up negotiations on the MOU, including Iran's nuclear issue, to gain momentum. Sina Toossi, senior fellow at the Center for International Policy (CIP), a U.S. nonprofit think tank, stated, "Currently, talks between the two sides remain hampered by differing interpretations of the MOU's provisions and the fulfillment of implementation pledges," and pointed out, "Discussion of Iran's nuclear issue is unlikely to begin until the two sides narrow their differences regarding the implementation of the MOU."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.