The Wall Street Journal reports that billions of dollars in Iranian assets remain frozen in several countries, primarily due to U.S. sanctions reimposed after the United States withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018. While Iran claims its overseas assets exceed $100 billion, independent estimates are lower, and Tehran’s immediate focus is reportedly on accessing about $24 billion in stages.
The largest frozen funds are in China ($20–50 billion), followed by Iraq ($15 billion), India ($7 billion), and South Korea ($7 billion, much of which was later transferred to Qatar in a prisoner-exchange arrangement).
Additional funds are held in Qatar (about $6 billion, restricted for humanitarian use), Japan, Luxembourg, Oman, and the United States, totaling roughly $8 billion in other locations.
These funds are largely linked to unpaid revenues from Iranian oil and energy exports. U.S. sanctions have prevented recipient countries from transferring payments to Iran. Some recent diplomatic discussions have focused on unlocking portions of these funds as part of broader negotiations between Tehran and Washington, including potential sanctions relief.