Trump: No unfreezing of Iranian assets before peace deal completion

US President Donald Trump has clarified in an NBC News interview that he will not unfreeze Iranian assets or lift sanctions against Iran before reaching a comprehensive peace agreement. This statement marks a significant point in American Iran policy and ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.

In the interview with "Meet the Press," Trump emphasized that economic relief for Iran would only be considered after concluding an agreement. "Comes after," Trump said. "Yeah. If they behave, if they do a good job, we start talking. Yeah." This conditional approach underscores Trump's strategy of using economic incentives as rewards for Iranian compliance rather than offering them as a basis for negotiations.

Simultaneously, Trump showed openness to direct talks with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. This willingness for dialogue contrasts with his firm stance on economic sanctions and suggests a two-track strategy combining diplomacy with economic pressure.

Another important aspect of Trump's statements concerns Lebanon. The president clarified that he was not demanding Lebanon be part of a short-term deal with Tehran. This clarification could simplify negotiation dynamics by removing a potentially complicated regional actor from immediate discussions.

The statements come against the backdrop of years of tensions between the US and Iran. Since the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement during Trump's first presidency, relations between both countries have deteriorated significantly. The US has imposed comprehensive sanctions on Iran, freezing billions of dollars in Iranian assets.

Reports indicate that Iran has set conditions for peace talks involving the unfreezing of approximately $24 billion in frozen assets. This demand is characterized by the Iranian side as a "trust test" for Trump, illustrating the complexity of upcoming negotiations.

Notably, Trump acknowledged that Iran continues to have the capacity to continue fighting. This admission contradicts earlier claims that the US military had decisively weakened Tehran's defensive capabilities. Trump described Iran as "strong and proud, but with no choice," suggesting he views the Iranian position as one of strength but also necessity to negotiate.

The frozen Iranian assets represent a central point of contention in relations. These funds, distributed across various banks and institutions worldwide, result from years of international sanctions. Their release would provide Iran with significant economic relief, making them an important negotiating tool.

Trump's stance reflects a "performance-before-reward" philosophy aimed at moving Iran toward concrete concessions before granting economic benefits. This strategy carries both opportunities and risks: while it could move Iran toward substantial compromises, there's also the danger that the hard line could lead to a hardening of the Iranian position.

The international implications of this stance are considerable. Allies and regional partners are closely watching how US-Iran relations develop, as this could have significant impacts on Middle East stability. The clarification regarding Lebanon could also influence other regional actors wondering what role they would play in possible peace talks.

The economic dimension of the conflict cannot be understated. Iran's economy has suffered significantly under sanctions, affecting everything from oil exports to international banking relationships. The frozen assets represent not just financial resources but also symbolic recognition of Iran's international standing.

Trump's approach appears to prioritize establishing clear conditions and expectations before engaging in substantive economic concessions. This methodology differs from previous diplomatic approaches that sometimes offered preliminary relief as confidence-building measures. The effectiveness of this strategy will likely depend on Iran's willingness to engage under these conditions and the broader regional context in which negotiations take place.