The UN says that Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is ready to help settle a dispute between Iran and the United States over Tehran's frozen assets if both sides ask for his assistance.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in New York on April 29 that "the secretary-general's good offices are always available should both parties to whatever tensions or issue request it."
Iran asked the United Nations on April 28 to intervene to prevent the United States from diverting $2 billion in frozen funds to victims of terrorism under a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
Iran's Foreign Minister Javid Zarif wrote to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, saying Ban should use his "good offices" to persuade the United States to "adhere to its international obligations."
Zarif also asked Ban to help secure the release of Iranian assets frozen in U.S. banks.
Tehran's appeal to the UN comes one week after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry sought to assure Zarif that he is doing everything he can to help Iran benefit from the lifting of economic sanctions under its nuclear deal with world powers.