US Eyes Iranian Assets for Gulf Reconstruction; Treasury to Assess Damages

The United States is reportedly planning to utilize Iranian assets to support reconstruction efforts in Gulf countries impacted by war, according to reports from CBS News and CNN, citing sources close to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

The Treasury Department is said to be examining all avenues of authority to make Iranian assets available for rebuilding and repair initiatives in the region. This move comes in the wake of recent Iranian attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait, actions that the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed al-Budaiwi, has condemned as a "direct threat" to the region.

CNN reported that Bessent's team will assess the conditions and calculate the damages inflicted by Iran on Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Oman. The specific Iranian assets Washington intends to use for these reconstruction endeavors remain unclear.

Meanwhile, conflicting messages have emerged regarding peace talks between the U.S. and Iran. While Tehran claims negotiations are stalled, a senior Iranian official told CNN that a deal with the U.S. hinges on President Donald Trump releasing $24 billion in frozen Iranian funds. Trump, however, maintains that discussions are ongoing.

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