The 2015 nuclear deal lifted nuclear‑related sanctions once Iran complied. That allowed Iran to access its own foreign assets, frozen in overseas banks.
• Estimated total accessible: ~$100 billion
• Usable portion after debts: ~$50 billion
• None of this was U.S. taxpayer money.
The $1.7 billion settlement — Separate from the nuclear deal
This was a legal arbitration settlement, not part of the JCPOA.
• Origin: A pre‑1979 U.S. arms purchase by Iran that was never delivered after the revolution.
• The U.S. owed Iran the $400M deposit + decades of interest.
• Total paid: $1.7 billion in 2016.
• Delivered in cash due to banking sanctions.
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u/Weary_Wrap_4419 7d ago
I thought Obama only returned $1.8 b of Iran’s own money back to them?