US President Trump to hold off on unfreezing Iranian assets

US President Donald Trump has stated that he will not unfreeze billions of dollars in Iranian assets prior to a lasting ceasefire agreement being reached. In an interview with NBC News’ Meet the Press, Trump said any release of funds would occur after a deal is finalized.

Iranian officials have repeatedly emphasized the need for partial asset releases as a condition for reaching a deal. The US has frozen approximately $100 billion in Iranian assets worldwide due to sanctions imposed by the US and other countries. Iran had agreed to curtail its nuclear program under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which included gradual access to these funds.

Trump stated that negotiations are “very close” to reaching a breakthrough, but did not provide further details on key issues such as control of the Strait of Hormuz or Iran’s nuclear program. Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran with renewed strikes if no agreement is reached.

Mohsen Rezaee, a military adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, stated that negotiations are at a deadlock and called on Trump to break the impasse. Iranian officials have reportedly sought between $12 billion and $24 billion in frozen funds as part of a ceasefire deal.

Trump expressed willingness to speak with Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since being wounded in US strikes early in the conflict. The US president also stated that he is “not demanding” that Lebanon be included in a ceasefire agreement.

Source: Al Jazeera