Reports have emerged that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has agreed to release $10 billion in frozen assets belonging to Iran, but the UAE government has categorically denied these claims.
On June 13, Reuters cited four sources stating that the UAE had reached an agreement to unfreeze funds totaling $10 billion, which include payments for Iranian oil exports. It was reported that an initial transfer of over $3 billion had already been made.
Two additional sources indicated that the total amount of frozen assets could reach as high as $20 billion. They claimed that this agreement was made in exchange for Iran halting attacks targeting the UAE.
However, Reuters noted that it could not confirm whether the transferred funds belonged to the UAE government or were Iranian assets that had been frozen in UAE financial institutions for an extended period.
In response, the UAE government issued a statement denying the reports. The UAE Foreign Ministry stated, "These claims are completely false and unfounded," adding that there has been no unfreezing, transfer, or movement of Iranian funds through the UAE.
A UAE official told Reuters, "The UAE's foreign policy aims to reduce regional tensions and promote sustainable peace and stability," and expressed support for all efforts to ease regional conflicts, including U.S.-led diplomatic initiatives.
Reuters also reported that Iran has reached out to at least two other Gulf Arab countries to pursue similar agreements.
Relations between the two countries have significantly deteriorated during the ongoing conflict, with Iran launching retaliatory strikes against the UAE and other Middle Eastern nations. Notably, Iran attacked the UAE's Fujairah port even during a ceasefire period on May 4.
In response, the UAE has taken a hardline approach, collaborating with Israel to conduct airstrikes on key Iranian facilities. However, as U.S.-Iran ceasefire negotiations have dragged on, discussions about easing tensions have reportedly begun.
Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated on social media platform X that "Iran will not receive any cash, and frozen funds will not be released simply because an agreement is signed or a meeting is attended." He emphasized that economic benefits will flow to Iran and the region only if Iran fulfills its agreed obligations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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