US President Donald Trump announced he would consider lifting the freeze on Iran's assets or canceling sanctions against the country only after a peace agreement is reached. In an interview published by NBC News on 7/6, he stated, "The two sides will begin to talk if Iran behaves properly."

This stance comes after Mohsen Rezaei, an advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader, told CNN on 5/6 that negotiations with the US are deadlocked over the issue of releasing frozen assets. Rezaei emphasized, "If President Trump wants to reach a deal with Iran, unfreezing the 24 billion USD is exactly the test of trust we want to put before him."

President Trump further elaborated that the US and Iran are "very close" to an agreement, but he wants additional terms to ensure Tehran does not possess nuclear weapons in any form. The US leader declared he would destroy Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile if both sides reach an agreement, while also warning Washington would further weaken the adversary's capabilities and seize the material by force if negotiations fail.

US President Donald Trump speaks at the White House on 27/5. *Photo: AP*

Trump also affirmed he is not demanding Lebanon's inclusion in a potential deal with Iran, even though Tehran wants the agreement to include a clause to end conflict in that nation. "I think they want to see that, but I am not demanding it," he stated.

President Trump intends to keep US forces in the region until negotiations are complete, expressing readiness to engage in dialogue with Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, whom he considers "more rational" than the previous leader. He added, "I don't want to say whether I know where he is or not, but it's very possible I do."

Iran has faced extensive asset freezes and sanctions from the US and Western countries since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. While there are no official figures for Iran's total frozen assets, US media estimates the amount to be between 100 and 123 billion USD.

Rezaei gives an interview in Iran's capital Tehran in 2021. *Photo: AP*

CNN today cited a source familiar with the thinking of US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who stated Washington plans to permit the use of Tehran's assets to support reconstruction in Gulf countries affected by future attacks from Iran. The US Treasury will also consider using Iran's assets to help remedy damages Iran has caused, according to the source.

Pham Giang (*Based on NBC News, Reuters, Times of Israel, CNN*)