Iran "Proposes Paying Overdue UN Dues with Frozen Assets in Korea"

"Remittance Channels Restricted by US Sanctions, but Membership Fees Paid for Years"

Saed Khatibzadeh, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Photo by Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on the 17th (local time) that despite U.S. sanctions, Iran has consistently paid its UN membership fees and recently proposed using Iran's assets frozen in South Korea to pay these fees.

According to a statement published on the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, "Although remittance channels are restricted by the United States, we are using some available channels to pay the UN membership fees," adding, "Even though the U.S. blocked available remittance channels this year, Iran has long been negotiating with the UN to establish a safe remittance method."

He continued, "Recently, with the Central Bank's permission, Iran proposed using the assets frozen in South Korea to pay the UN membership fees and is discussing the necessary procedures with the UN Secretariat." He emphasized, "Considering that the U.S. infringes on Iran's international assets, Iran believes the UN should not use U.S. banks as intermediary banks in the fee remittance process and that the UN must ensure the safe transfer of membership fees."

Ant?nio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, recently sent a letter to the UN General Assembly presidium stating that ten countries, including Iran, Libya, the Central African Republic, Somalia, South Sudan, and Niger, have overdue membership fees and that their voting rights in the General Assembly should be restricted. Iran's unpaid fees are reported to be the largest among these ten countries, approximately $16.25 million (about 18 billion KRW).

Earlier, spokesperson Khatibzadeh denied reports suggesting the possible release of the detained South Korean vessel when asked by reporters and stated that legal procedures are currently underway.