US says Iran can use S Korea frozen funds for humanitarian purposes
A spokesman for the United States National Security Council has reportedly claimed that Iran can use $7 billion worth of its blocked funds in South Korea to buy humanitarian items.
The spokesman, whose name was not mentioned, told Voice of America that the funds are being held in a “restricted” account that is “accessible for humanitarian trade.”
Washington was open to recommendations by Seoul and others to ensure that the funds could be used, “including through transfers to other trusted banks and in similar restricted accounts,” for humanitarian purposes, he said.
However, he added, there is currently no updated information or a new program in this regard.
The remarks coincided with a visit by South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol to the US.
Recently, Iran’s Nour News, affiliated with the country’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), reported indirect talks over the unfreezing of the latter’s funds blocked in South Korea allegedly because of American anti-Iran sanctions.
The report said that an initial agreement had been reached to transfer the Iranian money to one or more banks in regional countries.