US Reportedly Agrees to Release $6 Billion in Frozen Iranian Assets Amid Peace Talks

Washington has signaled its “seriousness” in the Islamabad negotiations by moving to unfreeze funds in exchange for the guaranteed reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied US President Donald Trump gestures after stepping off Marine One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland on April 10, 2026. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google The United States has reportedly agreed to release approximately $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets as part of ongoing negotiations to end the six-week-old conflict and restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported on Saturday, April 11. Sources close to the Iranian leadership stated that the move to unfreeze the funds, currently held in Qatari banks, is being viewed by Tehran as a crucial sign of Washington’s “seriousness” during the “decisive” talks in Islamabad. The release of the assets is said to be directly linked to securing the safe passage of vessels through the strait, which remains a central pillar of the negotiations. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . The $6 billion – originally derived from Iranian oil sales to South Korea – has a complex history. First frozen in 2018 under President Donald Trump’s first administration, the funds were briefly released in 2023 under a prisoner swap agreement mediated by Qatar . However, the Biden administration re-froze the accounts following the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel by the Iranian-backed group Hamas. A major flashpoint in the current talks remains the humanitarian restriction on these funds. Under previous agreements, the money was limited to the purchase of food, medicine, and agricultural goods under U.S. Treasury supervision. Whether these strict conditions will remain under the new deal is a key point of discussion for the delegations led by U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi . Other Topics of Interest War in the Middle East: Latest Developments US and Iranian teams arrive in Islamabad for “decisive” talks as Tehran demands a Lebanon ceasefire and asset release, while Israel refuses to discuss a truce with Hezbollah. The potential release of these billions comes as President Trump maintains a dual-track strategy, expressing confidence that the Strait of Hormuz will open “fairly soon” while simultaneously warning that the U.S. is prepared to resume military action if a deal is not reached. The global economic impact of the blockade continues to resonate. In Ukraine, where the energy crisis has caused significant disruption, fuel prices remain at record highs , with diesel costing Hr. 92 ($2.18) per liter. For Kyiv, the success of the Islamabad talks is seen as vital for stabilizing the global energy market and lowering production costs for the spring agricultural season. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.