Key Takeaways
- The $6 billion unfrozen Iranian funds were moved to Doha for the prisoner swap.
- A Qatari plane is prepared to transport the detained US citizens back to Doha.
- The transfer allows Iran to use the money for humanitarian needs under US oversight.
Doha: Qatar has informed the United States and Iran that $6 billion in unfrozen Iranian funds have been transferred to bank accounts in Doha.
This transfer is in connection to a prisoner swap deal between the two countries, Reuters reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Earlier in the day, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that the prisoner exchange between Tehran and Washington would take place on September 18.
“Both parties have been notified by Qatar that all $6 billion has been transferred from Switzerland to bank accounts in Qatar,” the source told the news agency.
A Qatari plane with five US citizens, who were previously detained in Iran, and their two relatives on board is ready to take off to deliver them to Doha, the source also said.
Last week, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said that Tehran would spend $6 billion in funds to be released following the prisoner exchange agreement with the United States wherever the country considers necessary. Earlier that week, a US State Department spokesperson confirmed to Sputnik that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had signed a waiver advancing the prisoner exchange deal with Iran that lifted a hold on $6 billion of Iranian funds, which would be moved from bank accounts in South Korea to Qatar. The US authorities also said that Tehran would be able to spend the fund on humanitarian needs only, while the US would control the spending process.
