Iranian ambassador rejects US claims of control over frozen assets

Iran's Ambassador to the UN Office in Geneva, Ali Bahreyni, stated that only Tehran will decide how any unfrozen funds will be used.

Scraper SystemJune 23, 2026, 05:17 PM

Iranian ambassador rejects US claims of control over frozen assets

Iran's Ambassador to the UN Office in Geneva, Ali Bahreyni, rejected statements by US Vice President JD Vance that the US and Qatar have authority over the process of unfreezing Iranian assets.

Speaking to journalists in Geneva, Bahreyni said, "Iran is the only country that will decide what will be done with its assets that are to be unfrozen."

US Vice President Vance said on Monday that Iranian assets have not yet been unfrozen and that if they are, they could be used to purchase US goods instead of financing terrorism.

Vance stated that Qatar, which mediated talks with Jared Kushner, former President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior advisor, had found a "very interesting solution" to ensure the funds are not misused.

The Iranian diplomat acknowledged that the role of the US and Qatar is limited only to the technical aspects of unfreezing the assets.

Bahreyni said, "These assets were frozen by the US and at least a portion of these assets are in Qatar. Therefore, there are some technical arrangements that must be made by the US and Qatar."

However, Bahreyni emphasized that other countries will have no influence on decision-making, stating, "Iran certainly will not allow them to have more influence over these processes."

The Iranian ambassador added that Iran's blocked assets will be unfrozen "very soon."

Bahreyni recalled that Iran is subject to comprehensive sanctions and asset freezes imposed by the US and other countries.

The issue of unfreezing assets is part of a memorandum of understanding signed last week by Tehran and Washington, which sets the stage for 60 days of negotiations to resolve broader issues such as Iran's nuclear program and sanctions relief.