Iran’s frozen assets have become a significant point of contention in the ongoing tension between Iran and the United States. Experts estimate that Iran’s foreign assets worth over $100 billion are frozen in various countries, with restrictions on access. These assets are the result of Iran’s oil sales and other revenue, but have been blocked in foreign banks due to US and international sanctions. The sanctions began after the 1979 revolution, and were further tightened due to Iran’s nuclear program.
The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has demanded that the frozen assets be unfrozen before any negotiations take place. However, the US has denied any immediate progress on this issue. Recent data suggests that opinions on Israel are rapidly shifting among various political and social groups.
Reports indicate that these assets are located in various countries, including China, where at least $20 billion is frozen, India with $7 billion, Iraq with $6 billion, Qatar with $6 billion, Japan with $1.5 billion, the US with $2 billion, and several European countries. Frozen assets are funds or properties that have been temporarily blocked by a country, court, or international organization due to legal or political reasons, preventing the owner from accessing or using them.
For Iran, these assets are crucial, as the country has been under pressure from sanctions for several years, leading to inflation, currency devaluation, and other issues. Experts believe that if these assets were unfrozen, Iran could provide support for its economy, improve infrastructure, and accelerate the post-war reconstruction process. It is worth noting that in 2015, Iran and world powers agreed to a Joint Plan of Action, which led to the unfreezing of some assets, but in 2018, after Trump’s withdrawal from the agreement, sanctions were reimposed, and Iran’s assets were frozen again.
The United Nations has warned of a major food crisis due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with Chief Economist of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Maximo Torero stating that time is running out. US President Donald Trump has called for a ceasefire in Lebanon, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to hold talks with Lebanese President Michel Aoun. A new threat has emerged in the ongoing US-Iran tensions, with reports suggesting that Iran may receive over 1,000 “kamikaze drones” from China, which could be used to attack Israeli targets.
Iran’s foreign minister, Javad Zarif, has said that Iran is not seeking dominance in the region but wants to protect its sovereignty, while Pakistani Ambassador to Iran, Imran Ahsan, has said that Iran is not a threat to Pakistan and that both countries have a long-standing relationship.
