The United States and Iran have been discussing the potential release of more than $16 billion in restricted funds. Iran’s total frozen assets are estimated at $100 billion to $120 billion, spread across accounts in China, Iraq, South Korea, and Qatar. The $16 billion figure maps almost exactly to the combined value of funds released through two separate channels in 2023: $6 billion unfrozen as part of a prisoner swap involving five Americans, and roughly $10 billion released via waivers tied to Iraqi electricity and gas payments.
What’s on the table now
Iran has reportedly requested immediate access to between $6 billion and $12 billion of its overseas assets as part of ongoing discussions surrounding an interim nuclear deal. US proposals have floated a larger figure of $20 billion, but with significant strings attached, including limits on Iran’s uranium stockpiles.
No large-scale agreement on unfreezing assets has been confirmed as of mid-June 2026. The funds remain under strict US controls.
President Trump has publicly stated that Iranian funds will not be unfrozen unless a formal peace agreement is achieved. Talks have been taking place in cities including Islamabad, where both sides are reportedly grappling with contentious issues around the amounts involved, timing, and how any agreement would be verified.
