Iran disputes Trump's claim it will buy food exclusively from US with unfrozen funds

US President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran on Monday, stating he would "do what I have to do" if the country does not uphold its agreement with Washington. Trump asserted that Iran was obligated to use the unfrozen funds to purchase food exclusively from the United States, aiming to support American farmers.

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If Iran doesn't live up to their agreement, or if they're not behaving, I will do what I have to do

However, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency cited central bank governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, who stated Tehran is not bound to buy agricultural inputs from the US under the current memorandum of understanding. Hemmati indicated that the remaining frozen funds could be used for other non-sanctioned goods, not solely essential items.

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All that money's coming back in the form of purchases of food which they desperately need. They have 91 million people; they can't feed them. So, the money that we lift is going to go to our farmers

Separately, Trump addressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks concerning the IDF's presence in Lebanon. Describing himself as a "problem solver," Trump expressed confidence in resolving such issues rapidly, including those involving Netanyahu.

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All that money's coming back in the form of purchases of food which they desperately need. They have 91 million people; they can't feed them. So, the money that we lift is going to go to our farmers