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NewsFlorida BulldogJune 17, 2026United States

Terrorism Victims Fear New U.S.-Iran Deal Will Block Compensation

A newly released memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran includes plans to release $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets, raising concerns among thousands of American terrorism victims who hold court-ordered judgments against Iran. These victims, including survivors and families of 9/11 and other attacks, fear the deal will prioritize geopolitical goals over their ability to collect billions in unpaid legal damages.

foreign policyterrorismlegal judgmentssanctionsIranvictims rights
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Why It Matters

The U.S. government's commitment to release $24 billion in frozen assets to Iran directly impacts the ability of thousands of American terrorism victims to collect on court-ordered judgments, as these assets are currently a primary source of potential compensation.

Key Facts

  • The U.S. and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to release $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets.
  • The MOU includes provisions for the U.S. to issue licenses and authorizations to make these funds fully usable by the Central Bank of Iran.
  • Thousands of American victims of Iranian-sponsored terrorism hold default judgments against Iran totaling over $125 billion.
  • The largest group of claimants consists of approximately 13,000 9/11 survivors and family members.
  • The U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund set a June 1 application deadline for new claimants to participate in a January 1 distribution.
  • U.S. authorities currently hold 127,271 bitcoin, valued at approximately $8.375 billion, seized from a China-Iran crypto mining operation.
  • The seized bitcoin is not included in the $24 billion asset release deal.
  • In 2011, a federal court found Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps provided material support to al Qaeda.
  • The Obama administration transferred $1.7 billion to Iran in 2016 to settle a 1981 arbitration claim.

Who's Mentioned

personChen Zhi“Founder of Prince Holding Group, indicted for wire fraud and money laundering.”personAngela Mistrulli“Founder and chair of American Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism United.”organizationIran“Foreign government currently negotiating a deal with the U.S.”personMohsen Rezaei“Military adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.”personJerry Goldman“Attorney at Anderson Kill representing victims.”personJames Kreindler“Attorney representing victims of terrorism.”organizationU.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund“Federal fund that compensates victims of state-sponsored terrorism.”personDonald Trump“President of the United States involved in negotiations with Iran.”