US and Qatar Discuss Plan to Release Iran’s Frozen Assets for Humanitarian Use
The Wall Street Journal has reported that the United States and Qatar are working on a plan that would allow part of Iran’s frozen assets to be accessed for humanitarian purposes. According to the newspaper, this plan has not yet been finalized, and discussions on the mechanism for its implementation are ongoing.
Based on the report, the starting point for this program could be $6 billion of Iran’s assets held in Qatar. These funds, mainly proceeds from oil sales, have been frozen due to sanctions in various countries, including China, India, Iraq, and Qatar.
The Wall Street Journal, citing informed sources, claimed that under this plan, Qatar would permit the purchase of food, medicine, and other humanitarian items ordered by Iran’s central bank using money withdrawn from the frozen assets. According to these sources, such a mechanism could serve as a model for managing other frozen cash assets of Iran abroad.
The report states that this initiative is part of financial incentives linked to a recently signed agreement aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Negotiations regarding the release of assets held in Qatar have reportedly been underway since late May.
US President Donald Trump said this week at the G7 summit in France that Iran’s assets are frozen and may be returned at some point. A US official also stated that access to these financial resources will depend on Iran’s level of participation in upcoming negotiations.
According to the report, the joint US-Qatar plan could provide Washington with greater oversight over how these funds are spent. Meanwhile, Iranian officials have not officially commented on this mechanism so far.
Analysts told the newspaper that although limited access to frozen assets could address some financial needs, a broader improvement in Iran’s economic situation will require more extensive changes to sanctions.
