▲ U.S. President Donald Trump attending the G7 Summit
The Donald Trump administration in the United States is reportedly considering a plan to establish a reconstruction fund worth up to $300 billion (approximately 454 trillion won), led by private companies, if Iran agrees to a final end-of-war agreement that includes nuclear negotiations.
Although the U.S. has emphasized its stance of not providing funds to Iran in exchange for an agreement, de facto financial support is effectively being provided under the guise of a private investment fund.
In Iran, some are arguing that this fund constitutes war reparations from the United States.
The Financial Times (FT) reported on Monday, June 15, local time, citing a senior U.S. official, that easing sanctions on Iran and creating a $300 billion reconstruction fund were discussed during the end-of-war negotiations.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance also virtually acknowledged the discussions regarding the reconstruction fund in an interview with CBS, saying, "Iran will be able to access it as long as they honor their end of the obligation."
The FT, citing a source familiar with the talks, reported that the reconstruction fund will only be established once a final agreement, which is outlined as part of the memorandum of understanding (MOU), is reached.
Under the MOU, the United States and Iran agreed to first reopen the Strait of Hormuz and then continue negotiations toward a final agreement, including Iran's nuclear program and the easing of sanctions against Iran.
This means that if the fund is established, it will be after the Strait of Hormuz is normalized, the nuclear agreement is finalized, and a final end to the war is achieved.
The FT reported that the fund will be raised not by governments, but by companies wishing to invest in Iran's energy industry, adding that the operational structure of the fund remains unclear.
A source familiar with the negotiations told the FT, "There is interest from a lot of businesses in Europe, a lot in Asia, South Korea, Japan etc., and American companies and businesses as well," adding, "If the sanctions are lifted, this fund would be a significant amount and it will be huge."
However, U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed claims that the United States would provide reconstruction funds to Iran.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Monday, President Trump countered, "Iran has agreed to never have a Nuclear Weapon! Also, the story that the U.S. is paying Iran 300 million dollars is fake news spread by Democrats."
In his post, President Trump wrote the amount provided to Iran as $300 million, which appears to be a typo for the $300 billion reconstruction fund reported by foreign media.
In relation to this, the U.S. political media outlet The Hill reported that "President Trump cast doubt on the creation of a $300 billion reconstruction fund that Iran would receive as part of a peace agreement with the U.S.," and requested comment from the White House on its exact stance.
Whether the United States is providing funds to Iran in exchange for ending the war has been a point of contention throughout the negotiation process.
This is because it is a politically sensitive issue, especially since President Trump has consistently criticized the Iran nuclear deal (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA) signed under the former Barack Obama administration, pointing out that cash payments were made.
President Trump is extremely reluctant to have it appear as though compensation is being provided to Iran, and has consistently emphasized that "it is different from the Obama era" and "no money is changing hands this time."
However, some point out that the financial incentives currently being discussed could exceed the levels agreed upon during the Obama administration.
The FT, citing sources familiar with the talks, reported that under the MOU, any sanctions relief, including the unfreezing of Iranian assets held overseas, will proceed in stages and be tied to progress in nuclear talks and whether a final agreement is reached.
U.S. officials also explained that small-scale financial relief would be provided in the initial stages as a trust-building measure, with phased relief measures implemented depending on the progress of future negotiations.
A senior official told the FT, "Sanctions relief is not linked to any single action," adding, "It depends on whether Iran is behaving appropriately overall, and what we consider most important is the nuclear program."
Previously, Iran also mentioned the $300 billion reconstruction fund being established by the U.S. while sharing details of the MOU with the United States.
Mehdi Mohammadi, a strategic adviser to the chief adviser of Iran's negotiating team, claimed the previous day through Iran's Mehr News Agency that the reconstruction fund has the character of war reparations.
He said, "Although the word 'compensation' is not explicitly mentioned, it is clear that when the other party talks about reconstruction, it means compensation for the damage Iran suffered during the war."
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.