NEW YORK, July 23 — Iran’s deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi has stated that the issue of Tehran’s frozen assets remains a central topic in ongoing talks with the United States.
Speaking to TASS on the sidelines of United Nations events in New York, Gharibabadi emphasized that the freezing of $6 billion in Iranian funds in Qatar in 2023 constituted a breach of prior agreements with Washington.
He also warned that Iran would retaliate if Western nations reimpose sanctions. Among the possible responses, Gharibabadi did not rule out Iran’s withdrawal from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), a move that would escalate tensions in the already volatile region.
“The release of Iran’s frozen assets is not just a financial issue—it is a matter of principle and trust,” he said, underscoring Tehran’s growing frustration with what it sees as unilateral actions by the U.S.
The remarks come amid stalled nuclear talks and heightened diplomatic friction between Iran and Western powers. The Biden administration has yet to publicly respond to Gharibabadi’s statements.
