Iran says US peace deal hinges on release of $24 billion in frozen assets, warns against renewed conflict

Key points

• A senior adviser to Iran's supreme leader has said negotiations between Tehran and Washington have reached a deadlock over $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets, warning that any return to war could trigger a broader regional conflict stretching beyond the Persian Gulf.
• Speaking with CNN, Mohsen Rezaei said the Trump administration must take the next step if it wants to secure a peace agreement with Iran.
• "The negotiations are at a deadlock and Trump must break this deadlock," Rezaei said.
• "The ball is in Trump's court." Iran demands release of frozen assets According to Rezaei, Tehran wants the United States to unfreeze $24 billion in Iranian assets as part of a trust-building process.
• Iran reportedly seeks the release of $12 billion immediately after an interim agreement is signed, with another $12 billion to follow at a later stage.