Iran is pressing Qatar to release $6 billion in frozen oil payments linked to a deal from 2019, initially frozen due to U.S. sanctions. Khamenei insists on Qatar’s friendly ties and expressed disappointment over U.S. influence in blocking the funds. Discussions between Iran and Qatar also touch on regional issues and mediation efforts related to the Gaza conflict.
Iran is urging Qatar to release $6 billion in frozen oil payments that were initially planned for transfer from South Korea. These funds were frozen in 2019 after sanctions imposed by the Trump administration on Iran restricted its oil revenues. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made the request during a meeting with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, highlighting the friendly nature of their relations despite unresolved issues.
The funds originated from payments by South Korea for Iranian oil, which were transferred to a Qatari bank in September 2023 as part of a prisoner-swap agreement between Iran and the U.S. However, the U.S. placed strict conditions on the use of these funds, allowing access only for humanitarian purposes, and recently blocked Iran from accessing them after Hamas attacked Israel, citing Iran’s financial support to Hamas.
Khamenei stated that, if in Qatar’s position, he would ignore U.S. pressures and release the funds. He emphasized that the return of these assets is hindered by the prospect of Trump returning to office. In the same visit to Tehran, Sheikh Tamim met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who expressed gratitude for Qatar’s mediation efforts in the Gaza ceasefire and discussed bilateral economic cooperation and the status of ongoing issues in Syria.
Pezeshkian pointed out that discussions regarding these frozen funds were initiated in an earlier summit in early October. He conveyed that both countries had reached a promising understanding on the issue, although U.S. oversight remains a significant barrier, maintaining the power to freeze these accounts as necessary.
Iran’s request for Qatar to release $6 billion in frozen oil payments underscores the complexities of international relations and economic sanctions. The situation is compounded by U.S. oversight and geopolitical tensions following recent events involving Hamas. Continued diplomatic engagement between Iran and Qatar may be essential in finding a solution, though U.S. influence remains a significant obstacle to the release of these funds.
Original Source: www.al-monitor.com
