Iran's Foreign Assets Reach 100 Billion US Dollars, But Frozen by the US

The Islamic Republic of Iran possesses foreign assets worth 100 billion US dollars (approximately Rp 1.7 quadrillion). However, the United States government has frozen them since 1979 as a consequence of the revolution that occurred in Iran. The current Iranian government is attempting to liquidate these assets again as a condition for peace negotiations, although the US has not yet provided a definitive response. Frederic explained that Iran desperately needs the release of these assets to further develop its country. The US is certain not to easily approve Iran’s request because Washington has not yet examined in detail which specific assets Iran currently holds abroad. Teheran is deliberately conditioning the asset release as leverage for negotiations to open the Strait of Hormuz. The initial condition is to release 6 billion US dollars in assets to ensure smooth negotiations. However, it is believed that only 50 percent of Iran’s total assets could be freed if the peace negotiations are realised. Freedom of navigation there must be restored so that ship traffic can return to normal. “Freedom and security of navigation through this international strait must be ensured. Restoring normal traffic through this strait is a collective call from the international community,” explained Wang to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi over the phone, as quoted from Middle East Monitor, Wednesday (15/4/2026). This includes guarantees that the United States (US) and Israel will no longer launch aggressions in the future. “Iran’s sovereignty, security, as well as its legitimate rights and interests as a coastal state of the Strait of Hormuz must be respected and upheld,” he stated. Global cargo shipping routes, including oil tanker ships, through the Strait of Hormuz have been disrupted since 28 February 2026 following US-Israeli attacks on Iran.