A possible US-Iran agreement faces a major hurdle as Tehran demands the release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets before any formal deal, Iranian officials said.
Diplomatic contacts have eased some disputes after months of stalled talks. Pakistan has played a growing mediating role, including through Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s recent visit to Tehran.
Mohsen Rezaei, a senior military adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, told CNN that President Donald Trump’s administration must release the funds to show good faith.
“If the United States genuinely wants an agreement with Iran, it must first restore the $24 billion that belongs to the Iranian people,” Rezaei said. He said the money belonged to Iran, not the United States.
Tehran wants $12 billion released immediately after an interim agreement is signed. It wants the remaining $12 billion released later under a phased process, according to the report.
Read: Iran-Israel Ceasefire Claim Follows New Wave Of Strikes
US officials remain divided over the proposal. Some policymakers fear an early release would weaken Washington’s leverage over Tehran before Iran commits to future terms.
White House deliberations said Trump is reviewing possible frameworks for partial asset restoration with safeguards to preserve US negotiating leverage.
The talks come after fresh military exchanges between Iran and Israel. Diplomatic sources said Washington has pushed both sides toward a ceasefire to prevent a wider Middle East war.
Iran has warned that renewed Israeli action against Lebanon could trigger more Iranian strikes on Israeli targets.
Trump has publicly urged Iran and Israel to stop attacking each other and avoid steps that could damage diplomatic efforts.
