TEHRAN: The senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader has said that ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States remain at a standstill, stressing that Washington must take practical steps to release Tehran’s frozen assets before any meaningful progress can be achieved.
In this regard, Mohsen Rezaei, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, said that approximately $24 billion worth of Iranian assets remain frozen under US control.
He focused on that the funds belong to the Iranian people and should be returned as a matter of right.
The current deadlock in diplomatic talks cannot be resolved unless the United States demonstrates goodwill through concrete actions. He stated that if the administration of US President Donald Trump wishes to advance negotiations with Iran, the first step should be the restoration of the frozen assets.
The statements come at a time when diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Washington continues to face significant challenges, with both sides maintaining firm positions on key issues.
Rezaei’s comments underscore Iran’s long-standing demand for the release of its overseas assets, which Tehran argues have been unjustly restricted.
The Iranian adviser also adopted a strong stance on security concerns in the Middle East. He warned that any expansion of military conflict in the region could have far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate area.
According to Rezaei, a wider conflict could impact strategic waterways, including the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, potentially affecting regional stability and international trade routes.
Meanwhile, Rezaei also dismissed speculation regarding a possible future meeting between US President Donald Trump and Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. Rejecting media reports and political speculation, he said that such a meeting would “never take place.”
