"We can't intervene in ship arrest... first resolve the freezing funds"

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Jarif met with Korean delegation including Vice Minister Choi Jong-Geon, arguing that the capture of ships is a judicial issue caused by environmental pollution and that the Iranian government cannot intervene.

Minister Zarif has pressed the priority of the bilateral relations to resolve the funding issue that is tied to South Korea under US sanctions.

Iranian central bank governor Hemmati, who met with Vice Minister Choi Jong-gun, expressed strong dissatisfaction, saying that South Korea promised to solve the problem for a year and a half, but was not paying interest.