Tehran: Iran has declared that at least 50% of its frozen assets must be released immediately upon the signing of a possible memorandum of understanding with the United States, as reported by a senior Foreign Ministry official to Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency. Kazem Gharibabadi, the deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, conveyed that various mechanisms are currently under review to secure Tehran's access to its blocked funds under this tentative understanding with Washington.

According to Anadolu Agency, Gharibabadi emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran insists on having a minimum of 50% of these funds available immediately after the agreement's signing. Additionally, he stated that the remaining funds should be released within a reasonable period, not exceeding one or two months, according to Tehran.

Gharibabadi further mentioned that Iran would only consider a text final if its interests were fully reflected, including an immediate and permanent end to the conflict on all fronts, such as Lebanon. Another crucial matter for Iran is the lifting of what it describes as a maritime blockade.

The official highlighted Qatar's potential role in facilitating access to Iran's frozen assets through alternative mechanisms, while Washington undertakes steps to lift restrictions on the funds. He underscored that any alternative mechanism would not absolve the US of its responsibility to release Iran's blocked assets under the draft understanding.

According to Gharibabadi, the current draft, which remains unfinished, necessitates the US to release all of Iran's frozen financial resources in tandem with the negotiation's progress. He specified that this process should not surpass 60 days.

Additionally, Gharibabadi listed the lifting of all unilateral US sanctions, including primary and secondary sanctions, and the normalization of Iran's status at the United Nations Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors as among Tehran's primary demands.

Regional tensions have been on the rise since late February, following strikes on Iran by the US and Israel. A ceasefire brokered by Pakistan came into effect on April 8, and indirect contacts regarding a broader understanding have been ongoing.