U.S. and Iranian negotiators met in Switzerland on June 22, 2026, to discuss an interim agreement, but a dispute over billions in potentially unfrozen Iranian assets has arisen. This disagreement comes as both sides begin implementing a memorandum of understanding signed on June 17. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian indicated that Tehran expects the return of $6 billion of its funds held in Qatar. President Donald Trump previously stated that the funds are Iranian and were frozen by the U.S. He emphasized that access to these funds would be conditional on Iran's compliance during the negotiation period.
Alex Vatanka, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, noted that the release of frozen assets is a significant political test of trust between the U.S. and Iran. The memorandum states that the U.S. will make available restricted Iranian funds, but the release is contingent on compliance with the agreement. Estimates of Iranian assets frozen abroad range from $100 billion to $120 billion, with current negotiations focusing on accessing approximately $24 billion to $25 billion initially.
The negotiations also involve discussions about how the funds will be used, with Iranian officials emphasizing sovereignty over the assets while the U.S. seeks to maintain leverage by attaching conditions. Qatar's Foreign Ministry stated that the talks aim for a comprehensive agreement, with initial funds potentially directed toward humanitarian purchases.
Concerns remain among Western intelligence officials that any unfrozen funds could be diverted to regional conflicts instead of domestic development. The U.S. has warned that access to the funds would be revoked if Iran violates the terms of the agreement. The broader purpose of the agreement remains a point of contention, with Tehran seeking to use the funds for infrastructure projects while the U.S. prefers controlled mechanisms for humanitarian purchases.