Iran Wants $24 Billion Before Peace Deal; Trump Says No
Photo: Reuters.
US President Donald Trump will neither release seized Iranian assets nor lift any sanctions until a peace agreement is reached. He made these remarks in a recent interview on NBC News' "Meet the Press" program.
Trump said he would consider such steps after a deal is accomplished.
"It will be after the deal. Yes. If they behave properly, if they move forward in good faith, then we will begin negotiations. Yes," he said.
Trump also said he is not demanding that Lebanon be included in any short-term agreement with Tehran.
Earlier, senior Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei called for the release of several billion dollars of seized Iranian assets as a crucial step to build trust in negotiations with the United States. At the same time, he warned that any new military conflict could expand beyond the Persian Gulf and threaten the stability of the entire region.
Rezaei said, "If he (Trump) wants a deal with Iran, this $24 billion will be the test of trust. This is our own money, not America's money."
In separate interviews this week, Rezaei — a member of Iran's Expediency Council and an advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution — said Washington has repeatedly hindered diplomatic efforts and blamed the United States for the current stalemate in Tehran-Washington negotiations.
In an interview with CNN's Fred Pleitgen, Rezaei alleged that President Donald Trump has effectively stalled the talks. In his view, the future of diplomacy now depends on Washington's decisions.
Rezaei said, "The ball is now in Trump's court." Noting that the negotiations are at an impasse, he stated that if the United States wants a lasting agreement with Iran, it must take practical steps to rebuild trust.
In his view, one of those steps is to release nearly $24 billion in seized Iranian assets. (Source: Reuters and Tehran Times)
