US denies agreement to unfreeze Iranian assets as peace talks begin in Islamabad

Saturday 11 April 2026 - 13:00

A senior United States official has rejected claims that Washington agreed to unfreeze Iranian financial assets, as diplomatic efforts to address the ongoing conflict in the Middle East begin in Pakistan.

The denial follows reports citing an unnamed Iranian source suggesting that the United States had consented to release funds held in foreign accounts, including in Qatar. According to those reports, the alleged move was linked to assurances regarding safe navigation through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

However, a US official dismissed the claim, stating that discussions had not yet formally started, indicating that no such agreement had been reached at this stage.

Delegations from both Iran and the United States have arrived in Islamabad for talks aimed at reducing tensions and potentially paving the way for a broader resolution to the regional conflict. Pakistan is playing a mediating role in facilitating dialogue between the two sides.

Iranian officials have previously emphasized that any long-term settlement would require the lifting of sanctions, including access to frozen assets, as well as an end to hostilities involving allied groups in the region.

Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that initial diplomatic engagements have begun in the capital, including meetings with senior US representatives, signaling a cautious start to what could be complex negotiations.