Iran will hold talks with mediator Qatar on Wednesday regarding its frozen assets, the Iranian foreign ministry said, denying that any meeting with the United States was planned in the Gulf state, where delegations from both sides were expected.
"What is expected to take place in Doha, probably tomorrow, will be discussions regarding the implementation of provisions of the memorandum of understanding, including the provision concerning the release of Iran's restricted assets, and these discussions will be held with the Qatari side," foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei told reporters at a weekly press conference on Tuesday.
Baqaei was referring to Iranian funds blocked abroad due to US sanctions, a key issue under discussion as part of an agreement between Tehran and Washington to end the Middle East war.
Iran is making any agreement with the United States conditional on the release of a portion of these assets in order to bring a lasting end to the conflict.
Among elements agreed under a so-called memorandum of understanding already signed is a US commitment to eventually "terminate all types of sanctions against" Tehran, and to "make fully available for use the frozen or restricted funds and assets" of Iran.
Iran has been subject to asset freezes and sweeping sanctions by the United States and other Western countries since its 1979 revolution that toppled the US-backed Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
While there is no official figure for the total amount of frozen Iranian assets, media reports have estimated the sum at between $100 billion and $123 billion.
Qatar rules out direct US-Iran talks
US envoys were meeting with Qatari mediators on Tuesday, the Gulf state's foreign ministry said, after Washington said it was sending a negotiating team.
"Mr. Steve Witkoff and Mr. Jared Kushner are here in Doha to meet with mediators, with Qatari officials, and the talks will be around all regional issues," foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said.
Talks with the envoys would include discussions on Iran but also other topics, including Lebanon, the spokesperson said.
"They are not here for their negotiations with the Iranians," he added.
Ansari clarified that no high-level meetings or direct talks between the United States and Iran were planned in Doha.
"To the best of my knowledge, there are no direct meetings scheduled between the two parties in the coming days," he said.
He explained that an Iranian "technical delegation travels to and from Doha based on the progress of negotiations. There is currently no high-level delegation present".
The so-called technical talks, negotiations between lower-ranking officials on details, included "tracks on the nuclear side... a track on the economic and state performance issue" as well as security, the spokesman said.
Qatar had previously refused to enter into mediation under Iranian fire as Tehran launched an unprecedented aerial bombardment against Gulf states hosting the US military and economic assets in retaliation for the US-Israeli strikes.
However, the Gulf emirate has played an active role in negotiations in recent weeks after an initial April ceasefire was brokered by Pakistan.
