As end-of-war talks between the United States and Iran enter the final stage, the administration of Donald Trump is reportedly considering a plan to provide financial support to Iran using funds from Gulf countries.
On the 28th (local time), the New York Times (NYT), citing U.S. officials familiar with the talks, reported that the Trump administration has informally asked Arab countries in the Gulf region to provide postwar reconstruction funds for Iran. However, this plan is premised on Iran agreeing to an end-of-war deal on terms it can accept.
Gulf countries are discussing creating an investment fund of $300 billion (about 449 trillion won) to support Iran. Considering that President Trump has publicly criticized the Barack Obama administration for paying $1.7 billion to Iran in exchange for the release of four Americans, the United States is said not to participate directly in the fund.
At the same time, there are discussions on partially releasing Iranian funds frozen in Qatar. The money would be allowed to be used to purchase goods for humanitarian and economic purposes, such as pharmaceuticals and industrial raw materials, with Qatar providing them to Iran.
During the talks, Iran has raised the issue of "war reparations" as one of its top priorities. In particular, it has also demanded the release of $12 billion in frozen asset.
The NYT said, "Compared with President Obama's $1.7 billion support for Iran, President Trump is pushing for a much larger package," adding, "It is uncertain whether such political sleight of hand alone will quiet the numerous critics who take issue with this."
These discussions are taking place as the United States and Iran near the signing of an "end-of-war memorandum of understanding (MOU)" centered on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming nuclear negotiations. According to a U.S. official, the mediating countries received word on the night of the 27th from the Iranian side that it is satisfied with the latest MOU draft.