Trump Administration Weighs Unfreezing $20 Billion in Iranian Assets as Peace Deal Nears

The United States is considering releasing $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets as part of a first phase in a potential deal to end the war with Iran if certain conditions are met, a source familiar with discussions confirmed on Friday, April 17, with the potential to ultimately release a total of $20 billion. The first phase would unfold over the course of two to three years, with the full $20 billion release contingent on even further conditions. The $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets — originating from oil sales to South Korea — are currently being kept in Qatar.

President Donald Trump, meanwhile, insisted Friday that the regime had agreed to hand over its enriched uranium stockpile while forcefully maintaining that “no money would be exchanged.” “The U.S.A. will get all Nuclear ‘Dust,’ created by our great B2 Bombers – No money will exchange hands in any way, shape, or form,” Trump posted to Truth Social. It remains unclear what conditions must be met for any of the assets to be released, and alternative arrangements could involve giving Tehran access to Iranian overseas revenue currently frozen by Washington.

The United States may also allow Iran to access around $15 billion in money owed to it by Iraq for electricity. Washington and Tehran are working through mediators to establish a deal that could be completed in a second round of negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan, with travel arrangements potentially confirmed within days. If approved, it would not be the first time the United States has unlocked assets for Iran — during the Obama administration, officials secretly arranged a plane delivery of $400 million in cash to Iran on the same day Tehran released four American prisoners and formally implemented the 2016 nuclear deal. (NYP/VFI News)

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” – Matthew 5:9