Unfreezing Of Iranian Funds Remains Main Sticking Point In US Talks, Iran State Media Says
Unfreezing Of Iranian Funds Remains Main Sticking Point In US Talks, Iran State Media Says Published By, Last Updated: May 26, 2026, 17:52 IST A
Unfreezing Of Iranian Funds Remains Main Sticking Point In US Talks, Iran State Media Says Published By, Last Updated: May 26, 2026, 17:52 IST A source familiar with the talks told Fars that no negotiations can take place unless Iran receives its frozen funds. A man withdraws money from the Tejarat Bank ATM along a street in Tehran. (AFP photo) Access to Iran’s frozen funds remains the main sticking point in talks with the United States, with the issue now being handled through Qatari mediation, Iran’s state-linked media reported on Tuesday, citing a source close to the negotiations. According to the Fars News Agency, which is linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the dispute centres on how Tehran would gain access to its blocked assets before any broader agreement can move forward.
The report said this issue is the last serious obstacle in the negotiations, although there has been no official confirmation from either Tehran or Washington. A source familiar with the talks told Fars that no negotiations can take place unless Iran receives its frozen funds, adding that Tehran has rejected any discussions before its preconditions are met, including the release of its blocked assets. The agency said the matter is now being addressed through Qatari mediation and diplomatic efforts, which have helped narrow differences between the two sides. Earlier, the United States was said to have stepped back from fully committing to its earlier understandings on the issue, while Iran maintained that no agreement could be finalised unless the agreed funds were transferred.
According to the report, despite some reported progress through talks in Qatar, Iranian negotiators reportedly remain cautious. Citing past tensions and what it called a history of “broken promises" by Washington, Tehran does not view the current understandings as final. “No agreement is possible until the agreed-upon funds have been deposited. Given America’s history of breaking promises, Iran does not consider these understandings finalized and has stated that it is prepared for all possible options," Fars reported. The report added that Iran’s negotiating team believes no deal is secure until the funds are actually deposited, and has said it is prepared for all possible outcomes if the issue is not resolved. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location: Iran First Published: May 26, 2026, 17:33 IST News world Unfreezing Of Iranian Funds Remains Main Sticking Point In US Talks, Iran State Media Says Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s.
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