Key facts
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that $6 billion of Iran's $12 billion in frozen assets in Qatar will be released.
- The asset release is linked to a preliminary agreement with the United States.
- Technical negotiations between US and Iranian delegations have begun in Switzerland.
- The talks aim to resolve the Middle East conflict and ensure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran affirmed its right to enrich uranium during the ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced on Sunday that $6 billion of the nation's frozen assets in Qatar will be released as part of a preliminary agreement with the United States. Pezeshkian stated that this release is contingent on the start of talks, with Iran's total frozen assets in Qatar amounting to $12 billion. He also affirmed that Iran would not relinquish its right to enrich uranium.
The announcement comes as delegations from the US and Iran have arrived in Switzerland for technical negotiations. These discussions are intended to address the ongoing Middle East conflict and secure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. US Vice President JD Vance is leading the American side, while Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are heading the Iranian delegation. Pakistani mediators are facilitating these crucial talks between the two nations.