Iran has about $100 billion in frozen assets

Iran holds approximately $100 billion in frozen assets globally, with a significant portion held in the United States and other countries according to Wikipedia. These assets include not only cash but also real estate and other property, with an estimated $50 million tied up in U.S. real estate and accumulated rent as reported. In the U.S., nearly $2 billion of Iran's assets remain frozen according to data, while additional funds are held in countries such as China ($20 billion), South Korea ($7 billion), Iraq ($6 billion), Japan ($1.5 billion), and Luxembourg ($1.6 billion) as detailed.

The freeze on Iranian assets dates back to 1979, following the Iranian Revolution and the hostage crisis, when U.S. President Jimmy Carter imposed sanctions and froze approximately $11 billion in Iranian assets. Over the years, some assets have been unfrozen, particularly following the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), which was expected to release around $30–$32 billion in assets. However, the impact of these releases has been limited by ongoing geopolitical tensions and legal actions, such as the 2012 U.S. law allowing the execution of judgments against Iran for acts of terrorism according to records.

Frozen assets have also been used as leverage in diplomatic negotiations. For example, in September 2023, the U.S. allowed Iran access to nearly $6 billion in South Korean-held assets as part of a prisoner exchange. While Iran has long sought the return of its frozen assets, these funds remain a contentious issue in international relations and economic policy.