Repeated Promises by Islamic Republic Officials for the Release of Blocked Oil Dollars; News That Is Constantly Announced and Denied

While officials of the Islamic Republic continue to announce the release of several tens of billions of dollars of blocked funds in various countries, private sector activists consider these claims to be 'empty' and aimed at 'deceiving public opinion.' The state news agency ISNA wrote in this regard: 'Soon, more than $24 billion of Iran's blocked foreign currency resources in Iraq and South Korea, as well as accessible resources in the International Monetary Fund, will enter the country.' According to this news agency, in addition to $7 billion of Iran's blocked foreign currency resources in South Korea and $10 billion in Iraq, following a meeting between Farzin, the head of Iran's Central Bank, and Georgieva, the head of the International Monetary Fund in Washington, it has been agreed that Iran will have access to more than $6.7 billion of its resources. On the other hand, Ali Vaez, a researcher at the International Crisis Group, reacted to this news in a tweet, stating: 'The claim of the release of $24 billion of Iran's blocked assets is completely false.' The head of the Iran-South Korea Joint Chamber also responded to this news by telling ILNA: 'Regarding the release of $7 billion of Iran's blocked resources, we have not received any news about this and it is currently just talk.' Ali Shariati, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, also told the Iran Watch website that the publication of such news is 'to calm market tensions,' but 'people no longer trust' and the publication of this news does not significantly affect market tensions. Previously, Hemmati, the former head of the Central Bank, stated that the equivalent rial amount of the blocked funds had been received and spent. Earlier, on May 6 of this year, a spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council told the Persian section of Voice of America regarding the $7 billion of Iran's blocked funds in South Korean banks that Iran could use these amounts for 'purchasing humanitarian items.' The Persian section of Voice of America had previously asked the White House whether the U.S. government considers this $7 billion and other Iranian assets held by other U.S. allies and partners as effective bargaining tools that could facilitate or achieve the release of detained and imprisoned Americans in Iran? The spokesperson stated that the aforementioned funds are kept in a 'restricted' account that is 'accessible for humanitarian trade.' He emphasized that the United States is open to recommendations from South Korea and others to ensure that these amounts can be used 'including through transfers to other trusted banks and in similar restricted accounts' for humanitarian purposes. Previously, in mid-April, Javad Owji, the oil minister of the thirteenth government of the Islamic Republic, referring to the settlement of 'Iraq's gas debts to Iran,' stated: [Iraqi officials] have conditions that these received funds are to be exclusively allocated for 'the purchase of medicine and essential goods.' This cabinet member of Ebrahim Raisi's government said that they told 'the Iraqi side that this restriction [selling oil and gas in exchange for food and medicine] should be lifted and we hope that this will happen through negotiations.' The crisis of dollar shortage is increasing; the Iranian Foreign Minister's request to Iraq for 'banking cooperation' with Tehran. Exclusive; the White House: Iran can use blocked funds for 'humanitarian purposes.' The oil minister confirmed: Iran's sale of oil and gas to Iraq in exchange for receiving food and medicine. Antony Blinken: New sanctions are the U.S. and allies' response to brutal repression in Iran. The U.S. sanctioned a group of officials and institutions of the Islamic Republic for repressing protesters and censorship.