Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stated yesterday (Saturday) that U.S. officials had attempted to discuss resuming nuclear talks last month, affirming that he insisted Washington must first release $10 billion of Tehran's frozen funds as a sign of goodwill. Iran has refused to engage in direct talks with the United States and indirect discussions regarding the revival of the 2015 nuclear agreement, which aims to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, have stalled since June.
According to Iranian state television, as reported by Reuters, the foreign minister noted that the United States had sought mediation through the United Nations last month in an attempt to make contact. Iran has been unable to access tens of billions of dollars in its foreign assets, particularly from oil and gas exports, due to U.S. sanctions on the banking and energy sectors.
The Iranian minister stated, "The Americans tried to contact us through various channels (at the United Nations General Assembly) in New York, and I informed the intermediaries that if America’s intentions are serious, a serious indicator is needed (...) by releasing at least $10 billion of frozen funds." Amir-Abdollahian added, "They are not prepared to release $10 billion that belongs to the Iranian people, so we can say that the Americans have considered the interests of the Iranian people once during the many decades past."
