South Korea’s PM: Iran’s frozen funds should be quickly returned April 12, 2021
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said Monday South Korea should “quickly” return US$7 billion in frozen funds to Iran in the latest diplomatic gesture to resolve the impasse between the two sides.
The prime minister made the remark during a visit to Tehran, where he met Iranian officials amid tension over the funds locked up in South Korea under United States sanctions.
“I have said before that this money is Iran’s money and should be returned to its owner,” Chung told reporters traveling with him. “It’s best to find a way and return it quickly.”
Iran has blamed Israel for a sabotage attack on its underground Natanz nuclear facility that damaged its centrifuges.
The incident imperils ongoing talks over its tattered nuclear deal and brings a shadow war between the two countries into the light.
Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack.
It rarely does for operations carried out by its secret military units or its Mossad intelligence agency.
This satellite photo from Planet Labs Inc shows Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility on April 7 2021 (Planet Labs Inc via AP)
However, Israeli media widely reported that the country had orchestrated a devastating cyberattack that caused a blackout at the nuclear facility.
Iran atomic sites targeted by diplomacy, sabotage
EXPLAINER: While Tehran insists its atomic program is for peaceful purposes, evidence points to the contrary, which has prompted some states to try and reason with Tehran through diplomacy, while others opt for force
Associated Press |
Published: 04.12.21 , 13:03
Iran s nuclear program has been targeted by diplomatic efforts and sabotage attacks over the last decade, with the latest incident striking its underground Natanz facility.
The attack Sunday at Natanz comes as world powers try to negotiate a return by Iran and the U.S. to Tehran s atomic accord. The sabotage threatens to upend those negotiations and further heighten regional tensions across the Mideast.
TEHRAN, April 12 (The Korea Herald/ANN): South Korea's prime minister said Monday his country is willing to provide "sideline" support for Iran to advance "productive" dialogue with partners in restoring the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.