US Vice President JD Vance stated on Monday that the United States possesses the capacity to guarantee that any Iranian assets released during peace negotiations will exclusively aid the Iranian population rather than funding terrorist activities. Speaking at the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland, Vance addressed the conclusion of initial discussions between Washington and Tehran. These talks represent the beginning of a two-month period following a preliminary agreement reached last week to conclude the military conflict initiated on February 28 by the United States and Israel.
Under the existing memorandum, the US has committed to eventually lifting all sanctions against Iran and providing access to its restricted assets. Vance attributed public concerns regarding these financial provisions to inaccurate reporting. Since the 1979 Islamic revolution, Iran has faced extensive international sanctions, with estimates suggesting that between $100 billion and $123 billion in assets remain frozen.
To prevent the misuse of these funds, senior White House adviser Jared Kushner and representatives from Qatar have devised a strategy to maintain oversight. Vance explained that both the United States and Qatar would retain approval authority over the release process. He described the arrangement as a strategic economic deal intended to benefit American agriculture and provide humanitarian relief for the Iranian people, ultimately supporting a stable regional security framework.
