Iran demands release of 50% of frozen assets before signing MoU with US

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, has outlined Tehran's conditions for finalizing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United States. Speaking to Mehr News Agency, Gharibabadi emphasized that Iran would only consider any draft agreement final if its “interests and concerns are fully considered.”

A key demand is the release of Iran's frozen assets abroad. Gharibabadi stated, “At minimum, the Islamic Republic of Iran insists that 50% of these funds be made available to Iran immediately upon the signing of the memorandum of understanding.” He added that the remaining funds should be “unblocked within a limited timeframe of no more than one to two months after the deal is signed.” The assets, he said, belong to Iran and have been “illegally frozen” by the United States, making their release a central requirement.

Gharibabadi also noted that the technical and financial arrangements for accessing the funds would be negotiated during a 60-day implementation period following the signing. Another key condition is that the US must lift the “illegal naval blockade” on Iranian ports if Tehran takes steps related to the Strait of Hormuz. He dismissed media suggestions that the arrangement would be a simple “one-to-one exchange,” stating, “No, it is not like that,” and stressing that “this is not one action in exchange for one action.”

According to Mehr News Agency, Gharibabadi's remarks underscore Iran's insistence on concrete steps from the US before any final agreement, with the release of frozen assets being a non-negotiable prerequisite.