Iran Sends Expert Team to Doha to Pursue Asset Release

Following recent diplomatic developments and the signing of a cooperation memorandum on June 17, 2026, the Islamic Republic of Iran sent a team of its banking and legal specialists to Qatar. This move, confirmed by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, is a practical step toward implementing Clause 11 of this memorandum, which directly refers to the release of Iran's foreign exchange assets in Qatari banks [1][2].

Details of the Technical Mission in Doha The Iranian delegation is tasked with finalizing the mechanisms for the transfer and utilization of financial resources that were previously under international restrictions. Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran, has announced that according to the plans, $6 billion out of a total of $12 billion of Iran's resources in Qatar will be released in the first phase and returned to the country's economic cycle [4]. These resources are intended to be used for providing basic goods and strengthening economic infrastructure. The dispatched experts are consulting with Qatari banking officials to remove the last technical obstacles in the path of this major transfer [1].

Separating the Diplomatic Path from Direct Negotiations The visit of this expert team occurs simultaneously with the presence of Steve Witkoff, the United States Special Envoy, in Doha. However, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rejected any direct negotiations with the American side at this stage [3]. Tehran emphasizes that the presence of the Iranian delegation is purely technical and executive, focusing on the provisions of the June memorandum. According to Iranian officials, until key clauses of the memorandum, including the lifting of oil export restrictions (Clause 10) and the full release of assets, are continuously implemented, they will not enter the final negotiation stage for a comprehensive agreement [2][5].

Economic and Geopolitical Importance of the 2026 Memorandum These developments take place as the Persian Gulf region has passed through tense weeks. The June 17 memorandum was reached after a period of limited conflicts in the Strait of Hormuz and exchanges of fire between regional and trans-regional forces [3]. The release of this $6 billion not only reduces economic pressure on Iran's currency market but also serves as an indicator to measure the parties' commitment to the ceasefire and diplomatic agreements. Qatar, as the main mediator, plays a key role in ensuring the security of these financial transactions, and Doha has once again become the center of gravity for financial diplomacy in the Middle East [4][5].