By Gloria Ogbonna
Negotiations between the United States and Iran have entered a critical and uncertain phase, with Tehran demanding the release of $24 billion in frozen assets as a condition for advancing a potential agreement while military tensions continue to simmer across the Persian Gulf.
The latest developments highlight the fragile balance between diplomacy and conflict, as both nations pursue negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program even as military confrontations continue near some of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
In a televised interview aired Friday, Mohsen Rezaei, a senior military adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, declared that discussions between Washington and Tehran had reached what he described as a “deadlock.” Rezaei argued that the Trump administration must take a significant step to rebuild trust by releasing billions of dollars in Iranian funds currently frozen under sanctions.
“Trump must break this deadlock,” Rezaei said. “The ball is in Trump’s court.”
According to Rezaei, Iran is seeking the release of $12 billion immediately upon the signing of an interim agreement, followed by another $12 billion at a later stage. He characterized the demand as a test of American sincerity and insisted that the funds belong to Iran and should be returned as part of any meaningful diplomatic breakthrough.
“If he wants to reach an agreement with Iran, this $24 billion is a test of trust that Iran wants to have with Trump — this is a test that America must pass and the path will be opened,” Rezaei stated. “This is our own money, not America’s money.”
The senior adviser also issued warnings regarding future military action, suggesting that if hostilities resume, Iran could expand its operations beyond the Persian Gulf and target additional American military facilities throughout the region.
“We will give another dimension to the war by attacking these other American bases that we have been attacking so far,” Rezaei said, although he simultaneously maintained that the likelihood of a broader conflict remains low.
Rezaei further reiterated Iran’s longstanding position regarding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital shipping routes through which a significant portion of global oil supplies passes. He claimed that Iran and Oman share authority over the waterway and defended proposals that would require ships transiting the strait to pay what Tehran describes as maintenance fees.
The comments came as reports emerged that senior Trump administration officials have been quietly laying the groundwork for a possible agreement. According to Axios, White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner traveled to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, this week to meet with nuclear specialists expected to play key roles in implementing any future accord with Iran.
Sources familiar with the discussions indicated that the administration has assembled a team of approximately 100 technical experts tasked with preparing for complex nuclear negotiations should a preliminary framework be finalized. The specialists are expected to address issues including Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, future enrichment restrictions, verification procedures, inspection mechanisms, and compliance requirements.
One U.S. official reportedly described the meetings as evidence that negotiations have entered a serious stage.
“This meeting in Oak Ridge doesn’t mean that a deal is going to happen, but it is a sign that the negotiations are in a very serious phase and that there is a good chance to get it done and we want to be prepared,” the official said.
Reports indicate that American and Iranian negotiators reached preliminary understandings last week on a framework that could extend the current ceasefire, facilitate the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, allow Iranian oil exports to continue, and launch formal discussions concerning Tehran’s uranium stockpile and future nuclear restrictions.
Despite progress, several key disagreements remain unresolved. One major point of contention involves the timeline for reducing or disposing of Iran’s enriched uranium reserves. President Donald Trump is reportedly seeking a 60-day deadline, while Iranian negotiators are advocating for a 90-day timetable.
Another significant obstacle remains Tehran’s demand for the phased release of $24 billion in frozen assets, beginning with an immediate $12 billion payment upon signing an interim agreement.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently emphasized that any second phase of negotiations would involve months of highly technical discussions focused on uranium enrichment levels, stockpile reductions, monitoring systems, and international verification measures.
While diplomats continue their efforts behind closed doors, military tensions remain elevated throughout the region.
Late Friday, U.S. Central Command announced that American forces intercepted four Iranian one-way attack drones near the Strait of Hormuz. Military officials said the drones posed an immediate threat to international maritime traffic operating in the area.
After intercepting the drones, U.S. forces reportedly conducted strikes against Iranian surveillance radar facilities located in Goruk and on Qeshm Island, targeting systems believed to support military operations in the region.
According to CENTCOM, Iran subsequently launched seven ballistic missiles toward Kuwait and Bahrain. U.S. officials stated that six of the missiles were successfully intercepted, while the seventh failed before reaching its intended destination.
Military officials also rejected Iranian claims that attacks had damaged the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.
“Iranian claims of damaging U.S. 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain are false,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
The incidents triggered air raid sirens across Bahrain, while Kuwaiti authorities confirmed that their air defense systems had successfully intercepted incoming missile and drone threats.
Amid the ongoing military and diplomatic developments, President Donald Trump argued that Iran’s military capabilities have been significantly weakened following months of coordinated U.S. and Israeli operations targeting missile launchers, drone production facilities, weapons manufacturing sites, air defense networks, and other strategic military infrastructure.
“We know where their drones are, and we know where their drone factories are. Most of the drone factories have been knocked out,” Trump said during an interview with NBC News.
The president suggested that Iran’s missile arsenal has also been substantially reduced.
“They have some missiles. They have some drones. I would say percentage-wise, maybe 21 percent, 22 percent of their missiles,” Trump said.
When asked why negotiations have not yet produced a final agreement, Trump pointed to what he described as the difficult position facing Iran’s leadership.
“They’re strong. They’re proud. There are things they never thought they’d be doing that they’re going to have to do. They’ve got no choice,” he said.
Trump also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon under any circumstances.
“One way or the other, it’s finished,” Trump said regarding the conflict and negotiations. “It’s either finished with a piece of paper or it’s finished in a more difficult way.”
As diplomatic efforts continue alongside military confrontations, the coming weeks may prove decisive in determining whether Washington and Tehran can bridge their remaining differences and secure a landmark agreement, or whether rising tensions in the Gulf will push the two sides closer to another dangerous confrontation.
Sourcr Breitbart
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