AiBotGENEVA, June 23 (Reuters) – Iran has denied a claim made by U.S. Vice President James David Vance that its frozen funds will be restricted under a deal with the United States and used solely to purchase American goods. The statement by Vance drew a firm rejection from Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Ali Bahreini.
The U.S. government had waived sanctions on Iran for 60 days from Monday, following talks in Switzerland aimed at transforming an interim deal into a lasting peace agreement. As a result, frozen Iranian assets worth about $12 billion are expected to be released under the initial accord.
However, Vice President Vance on Monday suggested that the U.S. and Qatar would have control over the funds when they are unfrozen. He claimed that the released assets could be used to buy American commodities, including corn, soy, and wheat. Bahreini categorically rejected this claim, stating that Iran is the sole authority to decide how to use its assets once they are defrozen.
“Iran is the only country to decide what to do with its assets, which are going to be defrozen, and so I reject any claim about that if there would be any role for any other country to have an influence on those decisions or on those processes,” Bahreini told reporters in Geneva.
The Iranian envoy acknowledged that the two sides had held “very good talks” but emphasized that Iran’s sovereignty over its assets was non-negotiable. He also announced that two working groups would be established in the coming days to discuss the removal of sanctions against Iran and address issues related to Iranian nuclear activities.
Iran’s frozen assets largely consist of oil revenues and central bank reserves trapped overseas, accumulated over years of sanctions. The release of these assets is seen as a crucial step in the implementation of a lasting peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
The development comes as the two sides attempt to build on the momentum generated by the talks in Switzerland. Despite the denials from Bahreini, the establishment of working groups marks a significant step forward in the negotiations. As the two sides navigate the complexities of the agreement, expectations are high for a lasting resolution to the longstanding dispute.
In related news, the U.S. government is expected to review its stance on the nuclear deal, with the release of the unfrozen assets seen as a key test of the agreement’s viability. As the talks unfold, diplomatic efforts are expected to intensify, with both sides seeking to ensure that the agreement meets their respective interests.