US reportedly plans to redirect Iranian assets to Gulf states attacked by Tehran, covering repair and reconstruction costs.
WASHINGTON: The United States (US) is reportedly considering redirecting Iranian assets to Gulf states that have been attacked by Tehran, German Press Agency (dpa) reported, citing several US media outlets.
The reports, citing a source close to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, said the Treasury Department was considering using the funds to support US allies in the region following Iranian attacks.
Bessent has commissioned comprehensive estimates of damage incurred since the start of the war with Iran, the reports said. Options were also being examined to make Iranian assets available for future repair and reconstruction work.
It was not initially known what type of assets were under consideration, for example money in frozen bank accounts or physical assets such as oil tankers.
Iran has repeatedly fired at Gulf states since the start of the war on February 28, most recently targeting Kuwait and Bahrain in the early hours of Saturday. The US military maintains bases there, located just a few hundred kilometres from Iran.
A ceasefire in the conflict has nominally been in place since April 8. Nevertheless, mutual attacks continue to occur. As part of ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran, Tehran’s demands include the release of frozen assets.
