Trump: Iranian Assets to Remain Frozen Until Final Agreement Reached

United States President Donald Trump has stated that the unfreezing of Iranian assets and the easing of economic sanctions will not occur until a conclusive deal with Tehran is reached. In an interview with NBC News’ "Meet the Press," Trump emphasised that conditions must be met by Iran before any sanctions relief is considered. "Comes after," Trump affirmed in response to a query on whether sanctions relief could precede an agreement. He added, "If they behave, if they do a good job, we start talking."

Moreover, Trump clarified that Lebanon is not a necessary factor in any short-term agreement with Iran, stating, "I think they'd like to see it, but I'm not demanding." This comment comes amid heightened tensions and military actions involving US forces and Iran, with strikes commencing on February 28 of this year.

The President insisted that any forthcoming agreement must extend beyond merely preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. He indicated that negotiators are close to consensus on nuclear-related restrictions but he is advocating for more stringent language regarding Iran’s future capabilities.

Trump mentioned that if a deal is struck, the US would manage the process of removing and destroying highly enriched uranium. "If we make a deal, we'll go together — it'll be our equipment — we'll take it out and destroy it," he stated. Trump maintained that if the negotiations falter, military action against Iranian facilities would be a possibility.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry has previously rebuffed claims of an agreement to transfer enriched uranium to the US, declaring that such negotiations have never been proposed. The International Atomic Energy Agency previously estimated that Iran possesses around 440 kilogrammes of uranium enriched to 60 per cent, a significant excess compared to the limitations imposed by the 2015 nuclear accord.

Since the start of hostilities and subsequent strikes against Iran's nuclear infrastructure, the fate of this uranium stockpile has become uncertain. Tehran has not allowed inspectors from the IAEA to assess the impacted locations, raising further concerns about the material's current status and security.

As the situation continues to evolve, Donald Trump’s remarks underscore the complexities of the negotiations and the challenges that lie ahead in achieving any peaceful resolution with Iran.