US may unfreeze Iranian assets worth $7B  

The US may unfreeze Iranian assets worth a total of $7 billion, the Lebanese network Al-Mayadeen reported citing anonymous sources in the Islamic Republic, Report informs referring to Sputnik News.

The media platform said the Biden administration originally wanted to avoid "paying" anything to Iran while the negotiations on the JCPOA are still ongoing. Tehran, however, insisted on this provision.

Additionally, the two countries may conduct an exchange of prisoners, the TV channel reported. According to the media outlet, Tehran might hand over four suspects in espionage cases to Washington. Iran will reportedly receive four of its own agents held in the US in exchange. These four Iranians were reportedly involved in efforts to circumvent American sanctions.

The US State Department has denied reports that a "prisoner swap deal has been reached" with Iran, but has not commented on the claims about possibly unfreezing Iranian funds. Iran's envoy to the UN also denied media reports about a purported "prisoner swap" having been successfully negotiated with Washington.

Al-Mayadeen stated that similar "security talks" also took place between Iran and the UK. The sides reportedly discussed the release of 400 million pounds ($552.7 million) in frozen Iranian assets.