Iran adviser says US-Iran talks stalled over dispute involving $24B in frozen assets
TEHRAN, IRAN: The peace talks between Washington and Tehran are reportedly stalled, with Iran demanding the release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets as a condition for moving forward.
The explosive detail surfaces amid President Donald Trump’s claim that the negotiations between the parties are active and going smoothly.
Iranian adviser claims US-Iran talks deadlocked
A senior advisor of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Mohsen Rezaei, shared the explosive details in an exclusive interview with CNN on Friday, June 5.
Rezaei said the peace talks hinge on the President Donald Trump administration agreeing to release $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets, warning that the US would “enter into a dark corridor” should it resume fighting.
“The negotiations are at a deadlock and (US President Donald) Trump must break this deadlock,” Mohsen Rezaei told the outlet in Tehran, adding that “The ball is in Trump’s court.”
According to Rezaei, Iran is seeking the release of $12 billion in frozen assets immediately after signing an interim agreement with the United States, with an additional $12 billion to be released later.
Rezaei characterized the demand as a test of trust between Washington and Tehran.
"If he wants to reach an agreement with Iran, this $24 billion is a test of trust that Iran wants to have with Trump," he said. "This is our own money, not America's money."
The reported demand can prove a major obstacle for the Trump administration, which has been insisting on striking a stronger deal with Iran than the Obama-era 2015 nuclear deal.
US officials are concerned that any unfreezing of funds at this stage could remove a key leverage point over the regime.
Iran adviser on possible Mojtaba-Trump meeting
Rezaei declined to comment on Khamenei’s health or his role in Iran’s decision-making. He also dismissed the possibility of a meeting between the Supreme Leader and Trump.
“This will not happen. Right now, we are in the first stage of negotiations and Mr. Trump has brought the negotiations to a standstill,” he said.
The remarks come days after Trump said he and Khamenei “seem to be getting along well” and that he would be “honored” to meet the Iranian leader.
Asked by Fox News' senior White House Correspondent Peter Doocy about meeting the Iranian leader in the United States, Trump said, "I'd be honored to meet him."
“I'd like to see if we make a deal. But if we make a deal, it's possible that I would meet him. I'd be okay with that,” he added before stating that if they did meet, he would be “Respectful.”
