Iran-US Talks Stall Over Frozen Assets Dispute, Khamenei Adviser Says
Summary
- An adviser to Iran’s supreme leader said US-Iran negotiations have stalled over the issue of releasing frozen assets.
- He said Iran is seeking the immediate release of $12 billion in frozen assets under an interim agreement, followed by another $12 billion release at a later stage.
- Iran views the release of frozen assets as a confidence-building measure between the two countries and says accepting it could open a “new chapter” in bilateral relations.
Forecast Trend Report by Period
Negotiations between the US and Iran have stalled over disagreements بشأن the release of Iran’s frozen assets, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader said. Markets are watching whether the two sides can strike a deal and whether tensions in the Middle East can ease.
The adviser told CNN on June 5 that the talks had reached an impasse and that responsibility for breaking it lies with US President Donald Trump. “The ball is in Trump’s court,” he said.
Iran is demanding the immediate release of $12 billion in frozen assets if the two sides reach an interim agreement. Tehran has also proposed the release of another $12 billion at a later stage.
The US, meanwhile, is concerned that releasing a large amount of assets early in the negotiations would forfeit a key source of leverage.
Iran views the release of frozen assets as a confidence-building measure between the two countries. If the Trump administration accepts that, it could open a “new chapter” in bilateral relations, the adviser said.
He also said that if the US resumes military action, Iran could broaden the conflict beyond the Strait of Hormuz to the Indian Ocean, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. He added that the likelihood of an actual war remains low.
Asked about the possibility of a meeting between Trump and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the adviser said, “That will not happen.” He said the talks remain at an early stage and blamed the Trump side for the current deadlock.
Trump has repeatedly said in recent days that negotiations with Iran are continuing and that an agreement is near. Even so, the two sides remain far apart on the release of frozen assets and the scope of sanctions relief.
