Blinken: US retains right to freeze Iran’s previously unblocked $6B

The US authorities retain the right to freeze $6 billion belonging to Iran, which was previously unblocked and is outside its jurisdiction, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is on a visit to Israel, said at a press conference in Tel Aviv, Report informs.

“With regard to the $6 billion, first, again, it’s always worth repeating the facts, because, unfortunately, the facts get lost along the way. The money that Iran accrued in bank accounts, in this case in South Korea, for the sale of its oil was done pursuant to an arrangement established by the previous administration, the Trump administration. None of the funds that have now gone to Qatar have actually been spent or accessed in any way by Iran. Indeed, funds from that account are overseen by the Treasury Department, can only be dispensed for humanitarian goods – food, medicine, medical equipment – and never touch Iranian hands. We have strict oversight of the funds, and we retain the right to freeze them,” he noted.

Blinken was commenting on a report in The Washington Post that the United States and Qatar decided to slow down or suspend the access that Iran has to the $6 billion that’s been put in the special account.