Iran Says US Agreed to Unfreeze Overseas Assets, Pay War-Damage Compensation

Iran's Foreign Ministry said the US had agreed to unfreeze Iranian assets held overseas and pay compensation for war damage as part of a deal to end the conflict.

AFP reported on June 15 that Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told a news conference the release of frozen Iranian assets and compensation for damages were two core issues. The US agreed to act on both, he said.

Baghaei also said Iran would charge ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz a maritime service fee, not a transit toll, under the agreement with the US. "We are not seeking to collect tolls," he said. "We have always maintained that we would charge for navigation services, environmental protection, ship insurance and other necessary services."

He also said the US must guarantee Israel's commitment to halt the war in Lebanon. Iran does not trust either Israel or the US, he added.

A final agreement would be approved through a United Nations Security Council resolution after 60 days, Baghaei said. He added that Iran would draw lessons from past experience.

Earlier on June 15, the US and Iran agreed to a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, to end the war. Under the agreement, the two sides will halt hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and the US will lift its maritime blockade against Iran. The MOU is scheduled to be signed in Switzerland on June 19.

Park Su-rim, Hankyung.com reporter paksr365@hankyung.com