U.S. Reportedly Freed $3 Billion in Iranian Assets to Help Cement Ceasefire

Iran stopped firing at Israel on Tuesday after the United States agreed to unfreeze $3 billion in Iranian assets, which were flown from Abu Dhabi to Tehran, according to a report by a news agency aligned with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The same report said Washington also sent a message that Israel should restrain its attacks in Lebanon.

Kan 11 reported that the messages were exchanged on Monday through a Qatari delegation. The aircraft carrying the assets landed Tuesday morning at Tehran’s airport, despite restrictions on aviation in Iranian airspace.

The exchange of fire between Iran and Israel took place on Monday after an Israeli strike in Beirut’s Dahieh district, and both sides later announced a ceasefire. A statement from the Revolutionary Guard emergency command said, “We announce the suspension of the armed forces’ operations, but if the aggression and wickedness continue, including in southern Lebanon, much more severe and crushing steps will follow.” It added that the attack on Israel was in response to the Israeli strike in Dahieh.

Hours later, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a public statement. Addressing Iranian threats to resume fire if Israel attacks in Lebanon, he said, “In the past 24 hours Iran and Hezbollah tried to force a new equation on us, it is intolerable and unacceptable to me.”