US President Donald Trump has ruled out the immediate lifting of sanctions and the unfreezing of Iranian assets under any future agreement with Tehran, signalling that one of Iran’s key demands remains unresolved despite progress in negotiations. In an interview with NBC News’ Meet the Press, Trump said the two sides were “very close” to reaching a deal but indicated that access to more than $100 billion in frozen Iranian assets would not be granted straight away. The issue remains a major sticking point in efforts to secure a broader agreement over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Assets Stay Frozen
Trump’s remarks are likely to disappoint Tehran, which has long sought the release of billions of dollars in assets frozen overseas as part of any agreement with Washington.
While expressing optimism about the state of negotiations, the US president made it clear that sanctions relief and the unfreezing of assets would not happen immediately. Iran has repeatedly argued that access to these funds is essential for any meaningful breakthrough in talks.
The comments suggest that despite progress, significant differences remain between the two sides over the terms of a final agreement.
Uranium And Troops
Trump also reiterated Washington’s position on Iran’s nuclear programme, stating that the United States would ensure the destruction of Iran’s highly enriched uranium. He said the material would either be destroyed on-site or removed from Iran before being eliminated.
The US president further stated that American troops would remain in the Middle East until the mission is completed, adding that he does not currently view US forces in the region as being under threat.
Offering a more conciliatory assessment of Tehran’s leadership, Trump described Iran’s current rulers as “very smart” and “more rational” than previous administrations. He also suggested that Lebanon’s participation would not be a requirement for any short-term arrangement with Iran.
Trump’s latest comments come amid intensified diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions while reducing tensions between Washington and Tehran. However, disagreements over sanctions and frozen assets continue to pose major challenges to a final deal.
