Iran Keeps Details Of Tehran-Washington Deal Under Wraps

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Iran refuses to disclose details of the recent Tehran-Washington agreement involving prisoner release and access to frozen funds.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani said that disclosing specifics to the media would not be "helpful" given the current circumstances.

During a press conference on Monday, Kanani said, "The details of this understanding in the media are not helpful at this point in time." The withholding of information comes in the face of increasing criticism and protests against the agreement, both within Iran and internationally, including in the United States and Israel.

However, Kanaani said that “the Iranian government had prioritized the release of its citizens unjustly detained by the American government, as well as the partial release of Iran's blocked assets, which had been frozen due to what Iran contends is illegal pressure by the United States.”

Notably absent from Kanani's comments was any mention of the release of American hostages imprisoned in Iran. When questioned about the timeline for the agreement's implementation, Kanani responded, "We negotiated with the American government through mediation, and a time frame has been set for the realization of both issues."

Refuting reports of $23 billion in released Iranian assets under the agreement, with $5 billion from Japan, Kanani stated, "I do not confirm either the $5 billion nor the other number you mentioned."

Iran's frozen funds are primarily held in banks across South Korea, Iraq, Japan, China, and India, originating from pre-2018 oil transactions prior to the United States' withdrawal from the JCPOA and subsequent sanctions.