Iran has not received the $6B in frozen funds promised by the US, and the release of these assets remains contingent upon Tehran meeting specific milestones, a US official told The Post. The funds are currently held in Qatar. This confirmation comes ahead of technical talks between the United States and Iran.

The transfer of funds is part of a broader agreement, but the actual disbursement has not yet occurred. The US official emphasized that the financial release is strictly tied to the completion of agreed-upon actions by Iran. Until these conditions are satisfied, the assets will remain frozen.

Qatar is acting as the intermediary for holding the funds. The arrangement involves the US releasing Iranian assets held abroad in exchange for specific actions. The technical talks scheduled between the two nations are expected to address the implementation details of this agreement.

The status of the funds was clarified to dispel any notion that Iran had immediate access to the capital. The linkage between the financial release and behavioral milestones is a central component of the deal's structure.

Iran's Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf has stated that international sanctions forced Iran to sell its oil at a discount, highlighting the economic pressure the country has faced in its energy trade. The remarks underscore the significant impact that sanctions have had on Iran's ability to command market-rate prices for its oil exports.

China Identified as Most Vital Oil Customer

Ghalibaf credited China as Iran's most vital oil customer, recognizing the critical role Beijing has played in sustaining Iranian oil revenues amid international restrictions. The acknowledgment reflects the depth of the energy trade relationship between the two countries under conditions shaped by ongoing sanctions.

Oil Sales Extended Beyond China

Despite China's prominence as the primary buyer, Ghalibaf noted that Iranian oil sales have extended beyond China, indicating that Iran has managed to diversify its customer base to some degree. This suggests that Iran has sought and found additional outlets for its oil exports, even as sanctions have constrained its pricing power in international markets.

The statements by Ghalibaf provide a candid assessment of the structural challenges Iran has faced in its oil trade, with sanctions serving as the key factor driving the discount at which Iranian crude has been sold.