US Official Says Iran Assets to Remain Frozen While Tehran Says Doha Talks Held Without US Delegation

DOHA, July 1: Iranian assets will remain frozen until the conditions of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Washington and Tehran are fully met, with any released funds restricted to purchases of US agricultural products, according to a US official cited by Israeli broadcaster i24NEWS.

The official said no Iranian assets would be released unless the agreement's conditions are fulfilled, adding that any funds made available would be earmarked for agricultural imports from the United States.

Meanwhile, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said follow-up meetings on implementing the US-Iran memorandum of understanding were held in Doha on Wednesday with Qatari and Pakistani delegations, without the participation of a US delegation.

Gharibabadi said the trilateral discussions focused on the implementation of the agreement, particularly issues related to Lebanon and the release of Iran's frozen assets.

The memorandum of understanding, which took effect on June 18, outlines a framework for addressing issues between Washington and Tehran through negotiations, including sanctions relief, the nuclear file, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and broader regional security arrangements.

The latest statements highlight differing accounts of the implementation process as efforts continue to advance the agreement through intermediary-led discussions.