Trump Rejects Unfreezing $24bn Iranian Assets Before Deal

U.S. President Donald Trump has firmly rejected the unfreezing of $24 billion in Iranian assets before a final peace agreement is reached.

During an NBC interview, Trump stated that the U.S. government would not confirm any prior agreements regarding the release of funds. Iran is demanding the immediate release of $12 billion currently held in Qatar, which is part of a larger financial dispute that has stalled ongoing negotiations.

Trump indicated that no agreement is possible until the specified funds are fully deposited. He emphasized that the U.S. is prepared to collaborate with Iran to safely destroy highly enriched uranium but warned that if no deal is struck, Iran's military capabilities could further weaken.

The negotiations are complicated by Iran's stockpile of 60% enriched uranium, which has raised verification concerns among global watchdogs. Trump’s administration has advised against premature financial concessions, fearing that unfreezing funds could weaken leverage over the Iranian regime.