Iran to U.S.: Frozen Assets Are a Test for Trump to Pave Way for Deal

Iran has presented frozen assets as a crucial test for U.S. President Donald Trump to demonstrate his willingness to reach a deal, according to a military advisor to Iran's supreme leader. Mohsen Rezaei stated that negotiations between Tehran and Washington to end the conflict are encountering obstacles, primarily concerning the release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets held abroad.

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If (U.S. President Donald Trump) wants to reach an agreement with Iran, these $24 billion are a test for his credibility.

Rezaei, a former head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, emphasized in a televised interview on June 6, 2026, that "If (U.S. President Donald Trump) wants to reach an agreement with Iran, these $24 billion are a test" of his credibility. He asserted, "It is our money, not the U.S.'s."

Iran has been under U.S. sanctions for decades, significantly impacting its economy. Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the country's foreign assets were frozen, exacerbating economic pressures. While official figures on the total frozen assets are unavailable, local media reports suggest the amount ranges between $100 billion and $123 billion. Iran has made the release of a portion of these funds a key condition for any agreement with the U.S.

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It is our money, not the U.S.'s.

Despite a ceasefire mediated by Pakistan on April 8, tensions have recently flared, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for hydrocarbons controlled by Iran. Rezaei warned that Iran would "expand the conflict" beyond the Gulf if the U.S. resumes hostilities, though he assessed the probability of war as low.

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We will give another dimension to the war by launching attacks on other U.S. bases than those we have attacked so far.