Reuters news agency reported exclusive information from sources indicating that the framework agreement between the US and Iran, aimed at ending conflict and restoring economic cooperation, includes plans to establish a private-sector investment fund worth $300 billion, approximately 9.75 trillion baht, to raise capital for infrastructure reconstruction and investment stimulation in Iran. More than half of the investment has already been pledged, and the fund will only become operational once both sides sign a final agreement.
Reuters reported exclusive information from sources close to the historic agreement between the United States and Iran, stating that the draft cooperation framework includes plans to establish a $300 billion private-sector fund (about 9.75 trillion baht) to attract investment into Iran. Recently, more than half of this amount has been pledged by private sector backers.
An anonymous source, due to the plan not yet being officially announced, revealed that the fund is designed to economically incentivize both parties to push for a successful final agreement, while the US and Iran prepare to sign together on Friday, 19 June.
This development follows recent statements by senior US and Iranian officials on Sunday that both sides have reached a framework agreement to end the state of war that began when US and Israeli forces attacked Iran on 28 February. They also plan to end the US naval blockade of Iran and reopen shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil and natural gas transit route.
Sources clearly stated that the new fund will be called the "Reconstruction and Development Fund." It will be a purely private-sector investment mechanism, not a country aid or war reparations program, and will receive no funding or subsidies from any government. Currently, private companies from the US, Gulf Arab countries, Asia, South America, and Africa have agreed to participate, covering sectors such as energy, logistics, manufacturing, and transportation.
Meanwhile, a senior Iranian source told Reuters that Iran initially demanded $400 billion from the US as war damage compensation, which was firmly rejected by the US. This led to the joint fund concept, allowing regional countries to participate in various ways, such as loan guarantees, credit lines, or direct investments to rebuild war-damaged sites like the Mobarakeh Steel Complex, oil refineries, airports, and other infrastructure.
Iran is one of the largest economies in the Middle East but has seen almost no foreign direct investment in the past four decades due to severe US and international sanctions cutting it off from global capital markets.
However, Iran holds the world's second-largest natural gas reserves and the fourth-largest crude oil reserves. It also has a young, well-educated population of over 92 million, a diverse industrial base, and untapped potential in sectors ranging from petrochemicals and mining to tourism and agriculture.
Sources emphasized that this investment fund is "completely separate" from parallel negotiations on lifting US sanctions and returning Iranian government assets frozen abroad. These are distinct financial mechanisms with different objectives and timelines.
The fund will not be established or operational until a final agreement satisfactory to all parties is reached. The memorandum of understanding to be signed on Friday will only set the working framework for the next 60 days, during which fund managers will collaborate with Iranian authorities and investors to plan and define the scope of various projects.
The White House spokesperson declined direct comment but referenced an interview with Vice President J. D. Vance on CBS television on Monday. Vance stated that Iran could access the $300 billion Gulf-backed reconstruction fund only if it strictly complies with its agreement with Washington, including ending its nuclear program, eliminating all enhanced radioactive stockpiles, and accepting stringent inspection and enforcement regimes.
Although sources have not yet disclosed who will manage the fund due to ongoing negotiations, they revealed that private companies from South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and the United States have already agreed to participate.
The 60-day memorandum of understanding is only an initial operational framework, not a final agreement. It is expected that US and Iranian negotiators will need to work together on multiple issues in the coming period, including nuclear matters, sanctions, and regional security.