Iran says US peace deal hinges on release of $24 billion in frozen assets, warns of renewed conflict | Today’s news
A senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader said negotiations between Tehran and Washington had reached an impasse over $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets and warned that any return to war could spark a wider regional conflict stretching beyond the Persian Gulf.
In an interview with CNN, Mohsen Rezaei said the Trump administration must take the next step if it wants to secure a peace deal with Iran.
“Negotiations are deadlocked and Trump must break this deadlock,” Rezaei said.
“The ball is in Trump’s court.”
Iran demands release of frozen assets
According to Rezaei, Tehran wants the United States to release $24 billion in Iranian assets as part of a confidence-building process.
Iran is reportedly seeking to release $12 billion immediately after the interim deal is signed, with another $12 billion to follow later.
Rezaei argued that the funds belong to Iran and should not be seen as a concession to Washington.
“If he wants to reach a deal with Iran, this $24 billion is a test of the trust that Iran wants to have with Trump.”
“It’s our own money, not America’s money.”
This issue has emerged as one of the main obstacles in the ongoing negotiations between the two countries.
Tehran warns against renewed military action
Rezaei also issued a warning about the consequences of any future military confrontation.
He said Iran would expand the geographic scope of the conflict if the United States resumed hostilities.
“We’re going to add another dimension to the war by attacking these other American bases that we’ve been attacking so far.”
According to Rezaei, a future conflict could extend beyond the Persian Gulf and affect several strategically important waterways, including:
– Strait of Bab al-Mandab
Despite the warning, he added that he believed “the possibility of war is low”.
No meeting between Trump and Iran’s supreme leader is expected
Rezaei rejected the possibility of US President Donald Trump meeting with Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
His remarks came just days after Trump indicated that relations between the two sides appeared to be improving and said he would be honored to meet Khamenei.
Rezaei rejected the idea outright.
“Right now we are in the first phase of negotiations and Mr. Trump has stopped the negotiations.”
The key issue remains the Strait of Hormuz
Rezaei reiterated Iran’s position regarding the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass.
He argued that Iran and neighboring Oman shared responsibility for managing the waterway and suggested that Tehran demand fees related to maintaining the route.
The Strait has remained a major point of tension during US-Iranian negotiations and regional security discussions.
Iran says it is ready for any future confrontation
Rezaei also claimed that Iran has military capabilities beyond those demonstrated during recent hostilities.
“If there is an invasion of our territory, then the world will understand the true capabilities of Iran, because our ground power is many times greater than our missiles.”
He characterized the recent conflict as a historic success for the Islamic Republic.
“This is the first time that Iran has won wars, while in previous wars Iran has always been defeated.”
The comments underscore the fragile state of negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
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