Iran explains what derails stalled talks with US
Donald Trump, President of the US (photo: Getty Images)
Military adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Mohsen Rezaei, stated that negotiations with the US have reached a dead end over $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets, according to his interview with CNN.
According to the official, a potential peace agreement between the US and Iran depends on whether the Trump administration agrees to unfreeze Iranian assets worth $24 billion.
"The negotiations are at a deadlock and (US President Donald) Trump must break this deadlock. The ball is in Trump’s court," said Mohsen Rezaei.
According to CNN, Iran demanded that $12 billion in frozen funds be unfrozen immediately after signing an interim agreement with the US, and another $12 billion later.
"If he (Trump) wants to reach an agreement with Iran, this $24 billion is a test of trust that Iran wants to have with Trump – this is a test that America must pass and the path will be opened. This is our own money, not America’s money," added the adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader.
For their part, US officials are concerned that any unfreezing of funds at this stage could deprive the regime of a key lever of influence. Moreover, as is known, Trump has demanded that any deal look much stronger than the nuclear agreement reached in 2015.
What else did the Iranian official say
Rezaei warned that Iran would prolong the war beyond the Persian Gulf if the US resumes the conflict, potentially expanding military operations from the Strait of Hormuz to the Indian Ocean, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea.
When asked about Khamenei's health and his role in the country, the official did not answer but dismissed the prospect of a meeting between Mojtaba Khamenei and Trump. According to him, that will not happen, and Trump has reached a dead end.
Mohsen Rezaei also reiterated Iran's sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, stating that sovereignty over this waterway belongs to Iran and Oman. He refrained from considering the demand for a fee for ships passing through the strait as a toll, stating only that Tehran would charge for maintaining the strait in proper condition.
Additionally, the official expressed doubt about the durability of a nuclear deal with Trump, citing his withdrawal from the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal and his uncertain strategy in negotiations.
In summary, Rezaei noted that if negotiations fail, Iran is ready for a potential US invasion of its territory. He also presented the current war as Iran's first victory over its enemies in the 47-year history of the Islamic Republic.
US-Iran peace agreement
Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump stated that, in his opinion, he will be able to reach an agreement with Iran on extending the ceasefire and restoring operations in the Strait of Hormuz as early as next week.
He also noted that a peace agreement with Iran could be even better than a military victory.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that the US House of Representatives passed a resolution against war with Iran. It became known that, for the first time, four Republicans supported Democrats in challenging Trump.
