TEHRAN: Talks between the United States and Iran remain stuck as both sides struggle to reach a peace agreement. A senior Iranian official said the deal now depends on Washington releasing around $24 billion in frozen Iranian funds.
He warned that if fighting restarts, the United States would face serious consequences. Mohsen Rezaei, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, said negotiations have reached a dead end. He said President Donald Trump must take the first step to break the dead lock. He added that the responsibility now lies with the United States.
Iran is reportedly asking for $12 billion in frozen assets to be released after an initial agreement. It also wants another $12 billion released at a later stage. US officials are worried that freeing the money too early could reduce pressure on Iran during talks.
President Trump has insisted that any agreement must be stronger than the 2015 nuclear deal. He has also rejected any arrangement that looks like direct financial support to Iran. He has previously criticized past payments made to Tehran.
At the same time, tensions at sea have increased. Iranian forces said they fired warning missiles toward two US warships in the Gulf of Oman. The ships left the area after the incident. Iran said the action was taken in response to US naval harassment and the seizure of commercial vessels.
However, the US military strongly denied the claim. It said no attack took place and no missiles were fired at its ships. US officials said their forces continue normal operations in regional waters.
The situation is unfolding during a fragile ceasefire that began in April. The truce has reduced fighting between Iran and the United States, as well as Israel, after months of conflict. Despite this, tensions have continued to rise through small incidents and military warnings. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States has stopped major strikes against Iran. He said recent military operations had destroyed much of Iran’s air power and weakened its naval strength.
Meanwhile, Iran has maintained restrictions in key waterways. It has imposed limits in the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global oil shipments. The United States has also increased its naval presence in nearby waters.
Diplomatic efforts continue in the background. US officials, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner, recently met nuclear experts in the United States to discuss future negotiations with Iran.
President Trump has made it clear that any final agreement must prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran, however, says it has the right to continue enriching uranium and denies any plan to build nuclear arms.
