Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated on 1/7 that discussions with Qatari officials, including central bank representatives, focused on utilizing a portion of the initial 6 billion USD in released assets.

"The parties agreed that, based on our proposed needs, essential goods would be purchased and delivered to Iran," he said.

The funds Gharibabadi referred to are part of Iran's oil revenue, transferred from South Korea to restricted accounts in Qatar since 2023. President Masoud Pezeshkian also announced on 29/6 that Qatar would release 6 billion USD out of 12 billion USD of Iran's frozen assets in the country.

A view of Tehran, Iran, on 8/6. *Photo: AFP*.

According to a memorandum of understanding signed in mid-June, the US agreed to allow Iran access to frozen or restricted assets as part of the agreement's implementation. However, the disbursement mechanism, usage plan, and effective date for these funds have not yet been announced.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei previously stated that only Tehran has the right to decide how to use the released assets, to best serve national interests and meet import needs.

Vice President JD Vance stated that the US and Qatar would monitor the use of the disbursed assets. He suggested the funds could be used to purchase American goods, including agricultural products like soybeans.

Reuters reported today that Iran and the US concluded indirect talks in Doha, Qatar. Sources familiar with the matter indicated that negotiators from both countries discussed maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and the unfreezing of Iranian funds.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry stated that the discussions in Doha achieved "positive progress". US President Donald Trump also said on 1/7 that the parties had favorable meetings.