Iran’s president says frozen assets to be released as attacks challenge US talks

Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian has said six billion dollars (£4.54 billion) in frozen Iranian assets would be released by Qatar as negotiations with the United States were challenged by attacks across the Persian Gulf this weekend.

Mr Pezeshkian is the highest-ranking official within Iran to reference the release of the funds held by Qatar, a key mediator in the negotiations with Pakistan.

So far, US officials say no frozen Iranian assets have been released.

Mr Pezeshkian was cited by the state-run IRNA news agency as saying: “Based on the plans made, six billion dollars out of the total 12 billion dollars of Iranian resources in Qatar will be released and returned to the country, and necessary follow-ups are being carried out.”

The remarks appeared aimed at selling the Iranian public on the interim deal.

Iran launched drone and missile attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait on Sunday following new US air strikes against the Islamic Republic, and threatened a “complete halt” in negotiations to end the war if Washington continues its attacks.