Negotiations over the release of frozen Iranian funds are now in their final stages, according to an informed source cited by Al Arabiya on X.
The source indicated that the remaining dispute centers on the mechanism through which a portion of those assets would be made available to Tehran. The main sticking point is not whether funds will be released, but how they will be disbursed.
Former US President Donald Trump has reportedly informed mediators that he opposes releasing any funds to Iran before a formal agreement is signed, underscoring Washington's intention to maintain leverage until all terms are finalized.
The latest developments come amid ongoing negotiations over a proposed framework agreement that would extend the current ceasefire and establish a pathway toward broader discussions on sanctions relief, regional security, and Iran's nuclear activities.
Recent reports suggest that the unfreezing of Iranian assets has become one of the most sensitive issues in the talks. Tehran is seeking substantial upfront economic relief, while Washington remains cautious about offering concessions before receiving concrete commitments from Iran.
One proposal reportedly under active discussion would involve the creation of a special fund into which frozen Iranian assets would be deposited. Such a mechanism could allow funds to be released gradually under international oversight, potentially bridging the gap between US concerns about immediate cash access and Iranian demands for tangible economic benefits.
The concept aligns with broader efforts by mediators to establish safeguards that would make any eventual agreement politically acceptable to both sides.
The dispute over frozen assets has been a recurring theme throughout the negotiation process. Multiple reports in recent weeks indicated that Iranian negotiators were pressing for the release of billions of dollars held abroad — particularly funds located in Qatar — viewing the issue as a key test of Washington's willingness to provide meaningful sanctions relief.
While significant differences remain, the latest reports suggest that negotiators are increasingly focused on technical implementation questions rather than fundamental political disagreements. If the frozen-assets mechanism can be resolved, diplomats believe the parties may be able to move toward a formal agreement that would provide Iran with limited economic relief while preserving US leverage for future negotiations on more contentious issues.
Why it matters
Reports indicate that negotiators are now focused on technical implementation questions rather than fundamental political disagreements — a distinction that reflects how far the talks have progressed from earlier, more contentious phases.
One proposal under discussion would place frozen Iranian assets into a special fund subject to international oversight, meaning the structure of any release mechanism — not just the headline amount — would shape how and when funds become available to Tehran.
Washington has made clear it will not release funds before a formal agreement is signed, meaning Iran's access to economic relief remains contingent on completing a deal rather than on reaching any interim understanding.
