US Slams ‘Preposterous’ Claim UAE Released Frozen Iran Assets
Senior U.S. and UAE officials have firmly denied reports that billions in frozen Iranian assets were released in exchange for security guarantees, calling the claims baseless.
According to New York Post, Reuters reported last week that two unnamed regional sources alleged the United Arab Emirates had agreed to transfer $10 billion to Iran, with over $3 billion already delivered, as part of a cease-fire arrangement to halt Iranian attacks on Emirati territory.
Both the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and senior American officials, including Vice President JD Vance, have categorically dismissed the report. The administration maintains Iran will not receive any frozen assets until it takes concrete steps toward denuclearization.
A senior US official told reporters the leaked information may originate from Iranian hardliners attempting to undermine the tentative peace proposal between Washington and Tehran by signaling to domestic audiences or regional allies.
The very simple fact is $0 of unfrozen assets have been released, the source stated, calling it absurd to suggest the UAE would strike a side agreement with Iran without American knowledge or consent.
The official emphasized that most sanctions and international regulations governing frozen assets fall exclusively under United States control and oversight. Reuters had cited two additional sources claiming the deal involved at least $20 billion in exchange for halting Iranian attacks on the UAE.
UAE Issues Firm Denial
The Emirates’ Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement declaring the allegations entirely false and baseless, confirming that no frozen Iranian funds have been released, transferred, or facilitated through UAE channels.
The senior American official defended Gulf cooperation, stating regional partners strongly support the proposed peace framework and would not pursue independent arrangements with Iran. The source described the notion of side deals as not merely unlikely but preposterous given the close coordination between Washington and its Gulf allies.
Qatar Reports Also Rejected
Similar claims later surfaced regarding Qatar, with the Financial Times reporting Thursday that the United States would permit Doha to release $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets for humanitarian and non-sanctioned purchases following the signing of a peace memorandum of understanding.
Vance personally addressed these reports from the White House podium, dismissing them as fundamentally incorrect. He emphasized that Qatar could not release such funds without explicit American approval and oversight.
The Vice President made clear that Iran would not receive a single dollar of unfrozen assets until Tehran fulfills its obligations under any final agreement.
With information from New York Post
