Iran Deal Includes $30 Billion Fund, Multinational Companies Pledge Participation

U.S.-Iran War Key News

(Dubai, 16th, Central News Agency - Reuters) According to sources directly familiar with the matter cited by Reuters, the framework agreement between the United States and Iran includes the establishment of a $30 billion fund to promote investment into Iran, with over half of the funding already secured through commitments.

The report states that the source named companies from South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and the United States as having pledged participation, though a full list was not provided.

The source indicated that the fund's purpose is to provide economic incentives for both the U.S. and Iran to reach a final agreement. The two nations are preparing to sign a memorandum of understanding on the 19th.

The source emphasized that this new fund is a private investment mechanism, not a reconstruction or compensation program, and will not include any government funds or subsidies. Companies headquartered in the United States, Arab Gulf states, Asia, South America, and Africa have agreed to participate in the investment. The committed investments span energy, logistics, manufacturing, and transportation sectors.

A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Tehran initially sought $400 billion from the U.S. as war damage compensation, but Washington made clear it would not agree.

Subsequently, the idea of establishing a 'Reconstruction and Development Fund' emerged.

This Iranian source said the mechanism envisions regional countries participating in various ways, including facilitating loans, establishing credit lines, or directly funding the reconstruction of war-damaged facilities such as the Mobarakeh Steel Plant, refineries, airports, and broader infrastructure.

The source stressed that this investment fund is entirely separate from negotiations on lifting U.S. sanctions and unfreezing Iran's overseas assets—two distinct financial mechanisms with different purposes and timelines.

The fund will only be established or operational after a final satisfactory agreement is reached. Once the memorandum is signed, it is expected to set the framework for the entire process within the next 60 days.

"The fund's management unit will work with Iran and investors during this 60-day period to plan and evaluate projects," the source said. Details on how the fund will be managed and who will be responsible have not been disclosed, with some aspects still pending finalization.

Iran's Foreign Ministry and Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, which assisted in mediating the investment fund agreement, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A White House spokesperson referenced remarks made by U.S. Vice President JD Vance in a CBS interview yesterday. Vance stated that if Iran complies with its agreement with Washington—including dismantling its nuclear program, eliminating enriched uranium stockpiles, and accepting strict inspection and enforcement mechanisms—Iran could access a $30 billion reconstruction fund backed by Gulf states. (Compiled by Lu Ying-tzu) 1150617