Iran Military Advisor: $24 Billion Asset Release Key to Talks With U.S.

The resumption of stalled peace negotiations between the United States and Iran hinges on Washington's agreement to release $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets, according to Mohsen Rezaei, a military advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader. In an exclusive interview with CNN in Tehran, Rezaei stated that the ball is now in President Trump's court to break the deadlock.

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The negotiations are at a stalemate, and President Trump must break the deadlock. The ball is now in President Trump's court.

Rezaei issued a stark warning, stating that a resumption of conflict would lead the U.S. down "a dark path." Iran is reportedly seeking the release of $12 billion in frozen funds immediately upon a tentative agreement, with an additional $12 billion to follow. U.S. officials, however, are concerned that releasing frozen assets at this stage could undermine their negotiating leverage. President Trump has previously insisted that any agreement must be stronger than the 2015 nuclear deal and avoid any actions that could be perceived as handing over "piles of cash."

The advisor described the release of frozen assets as a confidence-building measure, suggesting that if the Trump administration agrees, it would open "new horizons for the future of Iran and America." He emphasized that the $24 billion represents a "test of trust" for the Trump administration, adding, "This money is ours, not America's."

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If the U.S. resumes combat, it will enter a dark path.

Should the U.S. choose to reignite hostilities, Rezaei warned that Iran would expand the conflict beyond the Persian Gulf, potentially encompassing the Indian Ocean, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean. He also stated that Iran is preparing for a potential U.S. ground invasion if peace talks collapse, asserting that its ground forces are significantly more powerful than its missile capabilities. Despite these warnings, Rezaei assessed the likelihood of war as low.

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The release of $24 billion is a test of trust for President Trump if he wants to reach an agreement with Iran. The U.S. must pass this test, and then the path will open. This money is ours, not America's.