Qatar denies offering Iran $12 billion to seal US deal

Qatar on Monday denied reports that it had offered Iran $12 billion to help finalize an agreement to end the stalled US-Israeli war, calling the claims “utterly baseless.” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari wrote on X that such narratives are being circulated by parties seeking to derail the agreement and undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions. “Qatar’s diplomatic role, in coordination with regional partners, is well established & publicly documented, & such narratives are nothing more than desperate attempts to tarnish Qatar’s reputation as a trusted international peace facilitator,” he said.

Context of frozen assets

The denial comes as several high-profile Iranian officials visit Qatar amid a flurry of diplomatic pushes to finalize an agreement. Iranian Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati traveled to Qatar on Monday, following a Qatari delegation visit to Tehran last week to discuss Iran’s frozen assets. Reports have estimated the total dollar amount of Iranian funds frozen in Qatar at around $12 billion. Iran has been seeking the release of these assets as part of Pakistan-mediated negotiations with the US.

Ceasefire and negotiation status

Regional tensions erupted on Feb. 28 when the US and Israel launched surprise attacks on Iran, prompting Iranian retaliation and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A Pakistan-mediated ceasefire took effect on April 8, but talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement. President Trump later extended the truce indefinitely while maintaining a naval blockade. Last week, Trump said the deal has been “largely negotiated” and awaits finalization.