US Denies Iran’s Claims About Agreement To Unfreeze Funds

The United States said any reports about the release of Iranian funds frozen by third countries are false, after Tehran claimed it would soon receive billions of dollars.

In a press briefing on Thursday, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said US partners have not released any blocked funds to Iran, nor has the United States authorized or approved any such funds to Iran.

In a joint press conference with his visiting Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein on Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian repeated the claim, made several times in recent days by Iran’s state-controlled media, saying an "initial agreement" has been reached to release Iran's funds held by a foreign bank.

Price denied “any breakthrough” in two parallel tracks that are underway with Iran – one in Vienna for mutual return to full implementation of the JCPOA, and one on the release of all four US citizens who are unjustly held in Iran, cautioning everyone about such reports.

Iran’s trading partners have frozen tens of billions of dollars because of United States sanctions that make it illegal for third parties to engage in financial dealings with Iran.

Iran's government news website IRNA Monday reported a high-level visit by a “regional official” on Tuesday to conclude a deal to unblock $7 billion of Iran’s funds frozen abroad because of United States’ sanctions.

Foreign ministry spokesman, Saeed Khatibzadeh immediately denied the report but later told the media that an agreement to free some frozen funds does exist.