South Korea's $6 billion payment for Iranian crude oil has been frozen by the US administration again due to rising tensions regarding Iran's suspected links to the militant group Hamas, according to reports from multiple media outlets on Friday, including The New York Times.

These funds were originally intended for humanitarian assistance under strict US oversight. Now held in a Qatari bank, they are caught up in a diplomatic tangle following recent Hamas-initiated hostilities against Israel.

In a gesture of diplomacy, the US had previously planned in August to unfreeze these and other Iranian assets, especially after brokering a deal that secured the release of detained Americans in Iran.

However, with the shadow of Iran's potential ties to Hamas looming, key US figures, including former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, have called for a more cautious approach towards releasing these funds, emphasizing the potential misuse of such revenues.

US Secretary of State Tony Blinken, during his recent visit to Israel, had confirmed that the aforementioned funds remain untouched in the Qatari bank. Furthermore, Senator Lindsey Graham has put forth the idea of a US-Israel collaborative strategy to curtail Iranian oil operations.

While there's no direct evidence tying Iran to the recent Hamas activities, the US remains cautious due to their historical relationship. Iran has denied any recent engagement or support for Hamas actions.

• ·이준석, 눈물의 회견…尹대통령 향해 "與 묵언 수행 저주 풀라"
• ·Govt. to survey spending on private education of preschoolers, Suneung retakers
• ·[Herald Interview] Song Joong
• ·[Korea Beyond Korea] Early Koreanists on verge of extinction overseas
• ·Hyundai Motor shows off air mobility, drone tech at Seoul defense fair
• ·Milk prices to go up in Oct.
• ·[사진] 용산 팔도장터 찾아 떡메치기
• ·Posco to build joint venture with US grain company
• ·[Today’s K
• ·Rebellions' AI chip to undergo IBM quality testing
• ·SM founder Lee Soo
• ·[Herald Interview] Kim Jee
• ·[Contribution] Why hope matters in climate crisis
• ·Will Kep1er disband? Project group eyes extension with 'Magic Hour'
• ·Broadcom to appeal S. Korean regulator's fine over unfair Samsung Electronics deal
• ·Milk prices to go up in Oct.