The Billion-Dollar Hurdle In US-Iran Talks: Why Tehran’s Cash Demand Puts Trump In A Political Bind
The Billion-Dollar Hurdle In US-Iran Talks: Why Tehran’s Cash Demand Puts Trump In A Political Bind Published By, Last Updated: June 06, 2026, 14:38 IST
The Billion-Dollar Hurdle In US-Iran Talks: Why Tehran’s Cash Demand Puts Trump In A Political Bind Published By, Last Updated: June 06, 2026, 14:38 IST Iran wants some $12 billion released immediately and $24 billion during the 60-day negotiation period after a preliminary agreement is struck. Rapid Read US President Donald Trump remains hesitant to release Iranian frozen assets. (AFP) The US and Iran have yet to achieve a breakthrough to end the war in West Asia, which has rocked the global economy. A major reason for the talks is Iran’s demand for the release of billions of dollars in frozen assets, which has deep political ramifications for US President Donald Trump. Both sides have been negotiating for weeks, swapping and rejecting each other’s proposals while Trump continues to threaten the resumption of war. Iran has remained steadfast in its demands for the release of frozen assets and war compensations from the United States. The US said any release of frozen assets would be done after a final deal is reached. However, Iran wants some $12 billion released immediately and $24 billion during the 60-day negotiation period after a preliminary agreement is struck, according to The Wall Street Journal. Why Iran Wants It Assets Released? Iran sees the release of assets as critical to reaching any deal, saying the money belonged to the country.
The Iranian leadership is also deeply mistrustful of the US, which went back on a previous agreement to release Tehran’s money and reimposed harsh sanctions on its economy. A US concession would also be viewed as a diplomatic victory for Tehran and stop Washington from reneging on its promise. Notably, Iran has around $100 billion in assets that are inaccessible due to US sanctions. Unlocking it would be a major relief for the struggling Iranian economy, generating export revenue, investment and access to technology. ALSO READ: 60 Or 90 Days? Uranium Timeline Emerges As Key Hurdle In Final Phase Of US-Iran Talks Why Is Trump Hesitant To Release Iranian Assets? The Trump administration has indicated that Iran eventually could access some seized assets, but has rejected broader sanctions relief and immediate cash relief, making it a sticky point in the ongoing peace negotiations. One of the main reasons why Trump is hesitant to free Iran’s assets is that it could backfire politically, specifically after his own attacks on the Obama administration for flying cash into Tehran hours after the “worst ever" nuclear accord was implemented in January 2016. ALSO READ: Trump Once Called Obama’s 2015 Deal With Iran The ‘Worst Ever’. Now, It Is His Playbook For Peace Push Throughout his presidential campaigns and the war itself, Trump has attacked Obama for the nuclear deal, which he pulled out of in 2018, and promised that he would implement a “far better" deal.
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