Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed Al Khulaifi stated on Friday that the ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran regarding a prisoner exchange and the release of frozen Iranian funds include the establishment of a banking channel.
According to Al Khulaifi, the banking channel would address several agreed-upon matters among the parties, without specifying the nature of these issues.
As part of the anticipated agreement, Tehran has relocated five of the detained US nationals from a specialized section within the Revolutionary Guards’ prison in Evin to a hotel under house arrest.
This marks the initial step in the agreement. Iranian officials have stipulated that the transfer of frozen Iranian assets in South Korea to foreign bank accounts is a prerequisite for the release of the detainees.
In press statements, Al Khulaifi clarified that the agreement was preceded by intensive visits by Qatari officials to both Washington and Tehran.
He emphasized that Doha has played a “central and fundamental role” in facilitating negotiations and dialogue between the two parties.
Furthermore, Al Khulaifi expressed optimism that this move would be followed by further steps towards reconciliation, affirming that his country will spare no effort in making additional endeavors to bridge the perspectives between the parties.
The Qatari official stated his hope that the Washington-Tehran agreement would lead to broader understandings, including a return to the "nuclear deal."
Al Khulaifi delivered a written message to Tehran, presenting it to both Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Ahmadian on July 23.
He engaged in discussions with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister and Chief Nuclear Negotiator Ali Baqeri Kani.
Qatar hosted the most recent round of talks between Kani and the European Coordinator for Nuclear Negotiations, Enrique Mora, on June 21.
