An American official denies any agreement on the release of frozen Iranian assets.
Senior U.S. Official Denies Reports of Agreement on Frozen Iranian Assets
On Saturday, a senior American official dismissed reports suggesting that Washington had agreed to release frozen Iranian assets held in Qatar and other foreign banks. This comes amidst sensitive negotiations taking place in Islamabad between the United States and Iran.
Conflicting Reports on Iranian Assets
Media sources reported that an unidentified “high-ranking Iranian official” claimed the U.S. had agreed to free these funds in connection with assurances related to the safety of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
However, this information was categorically denied by a U.S. official in a statement circulated by the White House, asserting that “this is not true,” and clarifying that discussions had not yet genuinely commenced.
Ongoing Negotiations in Islamabad
These denials emerge as U.S. and Iranian delegations arrive in Islamabad for talks aimed at addressing the conflict in the Middle East, amid a climate of significant distrust between the two parties.
The office of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif indicated that he met with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, confirming that peace discussions have officially started in the Pakistani capital.
Sensitive Issues at the Heart of Discussions
Key sticking points include the issue of frozen Iranian assets and several complex regional matters, including the Israeli war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, reflecting positions expressed by Tehran that make the negotiations particularly delicate.
