The Wall Street Journal reports that the United States is discussing freeing $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds held in Qatar, in what the paper described as another early economic benefit for the Islamic Republic. People familiar with the matter said the proposal is being developed jointly by the U.S. and Qatar.
Under the plan, the money would be allowed only for purchases of food, medicines and humanitarian supplies ordered by Iran’s central bank. Most of the frozen funds in Qatar came from Iran’s oil sales.
According to the report, this would be the first installment of a larger $24 billion amount that Iran wants released as soon as possible as part of memorandum-of-understanding understandings, although that full figure is not mentioned in the memorandum itself. The article does not say when a final decision would be made.