US contemplates working with Qatar to unfreeze funds for humanitarian spending in Iran: Report

The United States is exploring a potential partnership with Qatar to facilitate humanitarian spending in Iran by unfreezing billions of dollars in Iranian assets, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing sources familiar with the matter. This financial incentive is reportedly part of a recent understanding between Tehran and Washington.

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The United States is eyeing working with Qatar so as to chart a plan for releasing billions of dollars in frozen funds aimed at humanitarian spending in Iran.

The proposed plan, still in its early stages, aims to grant Iran access to some of its estimated $100 billion in global frozen funds. The initial focus would be on $6 billion held in Qatar. Under this arrangement, Qatar would procure humanitarian goods, such as food and medicine, as ordered by Iran's central bank, utilizing funds from Iran's frozen assets, including those from oil sales blocked overseas by sanctions.

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Under the deal, it was informed that Qatar would purchase humanitarian goods such as food and medicines ordered by Iran's central bank by utilising the money drawn from Tehran's frozen assets that includes cash from oil sales that have been locked up overseas by sanctions.

This development follows Qatar's reaffirmation of its support for dialogue between the U.S. and Iran to resolve outstanding issues. The first round of technical talks, initially scheduled for Switzerland, was postponed. A Swiss Foreign Ministry statement confirmed the postponement, expressing readiness to facilitate future discussions. The broader context involves a 14-point memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran, which includes a cessation of hostilities, phased sanctions relief, and plans for technical talks on Iran's nuclear program.

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Qatar has reiterated its support for launching negotiations between the United States and Iran to address outstanding issues through dialogue and peaceful means.