FILE PHOTO: The Iranian and U.S. flags are printed on paper in this illustration taken January 27, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
WASHINGTON — The United States has lifted sanctions to allow the transfer of $6 billion in Iranian funds from South Korea to Qatar, a necessary step to complete a previously announced U.S.-Iranian prisoner exchange, according to a American document consulted by Reuters on Monday.
The outline of the US-Iran deal under which five US citizens detained by Iran would be allowed to leave in exchange for the transfer of funds and the release of five Iranians detained in the US was made public on August 10 .
According to the State Department document seen by Reuters, Secretary of State Antony Blinken determined that lifting sanctions was in the national security interests of the United States.
The document sent to U.S. Congressional committees marks the first time the U.S. government has officially acknowledged releasing five Iranians detained in the United States as part of the deal to secure the freedom of the five U.S. citizens.
“To facilitate their release, the United States committed to release five Iranian nationals currently detained in the United States and to authorize the transfer of approximately $6 billion in Iranian funds held in restricted accounts in (Republic of Korea) to restricted accounts in Qatar. , where funds will be available only for humanitarian trade,” he said.
The document states that the transfer of funds would provide only “limited benefit to Iran” since the funds can only be used for humanitarian trade.
“Authorizing the transfer of these funds from restricted Iranian accounts held in (Republic of Korea) to accounts in Qatar for humanitarian trade is necessary to facilitate the release of these U.S. citizens,” the document states.
The transfer of the $6 billion and the exchange of prisoners could take place as early as next week, according to eight Iranian sources and others close to the negotiations.
The waiver applies to certain financial institutions that fall under the primary jurisdiction of Germany, Ireland, Qatar, South Korea and Switzerland to conduct transactions with the Iranian National Oil Company, the Bank Central Bank of Iran and other Iranian financial institutions subject to US sanctions. added.
RELATED STORIES
Analysis: The strengthening of US forces in the Persian Gulf is a new signal of worsening US-Iran conflict
Iran says US is delaying nuclear talks, prisoner swap unrelated
Your subscription could not be saved. Try Again.
Your subscription was successful.
Read next
To subscribe to APPLICANT MORE to access The Philippine Daily Inquirer and over 70 other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to news, download as early as 4 a.m. and share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
For comments, complaints or inquiries, Contact us.
