By Hammad Kahlun
Scandinavian news Finland
UAE Foreign Ministry Issues Flat Denial
The United Arab Emirates on Friday issued a categorical denial of media reports claiming it had transferred funds to Iran, directly rejecting a report by Reuters that alleged Abu Dhabi had agreed to release up to $20 billion to Tehran.
The reported deal, according to Reuters, was linked to a halt in Iranian attacks a claim the UAE Foreign Ministry dismissed entirely.
‘$3 Billion Already Transferred’ Claim Called Untrue
The UAE Foreign Ministry specifically addressed allegations that a $3 billion sum had already been transferred to Iran, calling the claim outright false.
In its official statement, the ministry described the reports as “untrue and not based on any facts or reliable information.”
No Frozen Iranian Funds Released, UAE Insists
The ministry went further, stating unequivocally that “no frozen Iranian funds have been released or transferred” through the UAE under any arrangement.
The denial covers both the reported $3 billion already allegedly moved and the broader $20 billion framework described in the Reuters report.
What the Reuters Report Alleged
Reuters had reported that Abu Dhabi reached an agreement with Tehran to unblock up to $20 billion in frozen Iranian assets held within the UAE financial system.
The reported condition attached to the release was an Iranian commitment to cease hostile military activities — a significant diplomatic arrangement that would have represented a major back-channel deal between the two Gulf neighbors.
Context: UAE-Iran Financial and Diplomatic Relations
The UAE and Iran share complex financial ties due to the large Iranian business community historically active in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Billions in Iranian assets have reportedly been frozen in UAE banks following international sanctions regimes targeting Tehran.
Any agreement to release those funds would carry major implications for US sanctions policy, Gulf regional security, and ongoing nuclear negotiations involving Iran.
Reuters Report Not Retracted
As of the time of this report, Reuters had not issued a correction or retraction of its original story. The news agency has not publicly responded to the UAE Foreign Ministry’s denial.
The dispute between the UAE government and one of the world’s most credible newswires leaves the underlying facts formally contested.
UAE-Iran Relations: Business, Diplomacy and Regional Tension
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