Iran supreme leader’s adviser says Trump must release $24bn to save peace talks

A senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader has warned that nuclear negotiations with the United States are at a deadlock, saying President Donald Trump must agree to release $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets to revive talks.

Speaking to CNN in Tehran, Mohsen Rezaei said: “The negotiations are at a deadlock and (US President Donald) Trump must break this deadlock. The ball is in Trump’s court.”

Iran is reportedly demanding the immediate release of $12 billion once an interim agreement is signed, followed by another $12 billion later in the process.

Rezaei described the move as a test of trust between Tehran and Washington.

“If he (Trump) 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,” he told CNN.

“This is our own money, not America’s money,” Rezaei said and also warned that any renewed conflict could spread beyond the Persian Gulf.

“We will give another dimension to the war by attacking these other American bases that we have been attacking so far,” he said.

He rejected suggestions that Iran’s supreme leader could meet Trump, adding: “This will not happen.”