US-Iran War Live Updates: Iran says Qatar will unfreeze $6 bn assets with peace deal in jeopardy
Destroyed buildings and cars in southern Lebanon are seen from northern Israel, Saturday, June 27, after Israel and Lebanon sign a framework agreement, described as a first step toward peace following months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. (AP Photo)
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said $6 billion of Iran’s $12 billion in frozen assets held in Qatar will be released after an agreement with the United States lifted oil and petrochemical sanctions, reported Iranian state media. The MoU signed earlier between Washington and Tehran have come under serious concerns as the region saw an exchange of fresh strikes between the two parties, leaving the states of Kuwait, Bahrain and Strait of Hormuz affected.
Following several days of fire exchanges near the Strait of Hormuz, a Trump administration official announced Sunday that both the United States and Iran have agreed to stand down, with shipping lanes reopened to free movement. A US official said the wave of Iranian drone and missile fire late Saturday did not hit its intended targets. Tehran said it had struck US military installations in Gulf countries in retaliation for earlier American strikes on Iranian sites. Despite the exchange, a senior Trump administration official said diplomatic talks remain on track for the coming days, according to CNN.
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The weekend strikes are testing a US-Iran agreement intended to halt hostilities during 60 days of technical negotiations. Neither side has publicly moved to de-escalate. The two countries have since agreed to meet in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday to discuss outstanding disputes, Axios reported.
Latest Developments
- Hormuz standoff deepens: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said control of the Strait of Hormuz lies solely with Tehran, warning that any attempt to bypass Iran’s preferred route will cause tension and escalation. Commercial vessel operators say the interim agreement is not reflected in conditions on the waterway.
- Doha talks confirmed: The US and Iran have agreed to halt attacks and hold talks in the Qatari capital on Tuesday to resolve the Hormuz dispute, according to Axios.
- Lebanon complicates deal: Iran has demanded a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon as a condition of any final agreement with Washington, further straining peace efforts.
- Lebanon framework rejected: Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said Beirut’s framework agreement with Israel will not pass and will not be implemented, saying it fails to guarantee Lebanese rights.
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