Iran Adviser Mohsen Rezaei Says U.S.-Iran Talks Are Deadlocked as Trump Demands Asset Unfreezing

Mohsen Rezaei, a military adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, told CNN that U.S.-Iran negotiations “are at a deadlock” and that “the ball is in Trump's court.”

“While the United States and Iran have continued to exchange a series of proposals and counter-proposals for peace since a temporary ceasefire was announced in April, leaders on both sides have repeatedly signalled that they are also prepared to use force against the other if the need should arise”

Al Jazeera

Rezaei urged the U.S. to unfreeze billions in Iranian assets, saying the demand is a “test that America must pass.”

Al Jazeera

In parallel, President Donald Trump told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker that Iranian leaders have not yet reached a deal with the U.S. because they’re “strong” and “proud,” but that “they’ve got no choice” except to reach an agreement.

Trump also said the conflict could end either “with a piece of paper” or in “a more difficult way,” while CBS News reported U.S. forces shot down four Iranian one-way attack drones launched toward the Strait of Hormuz.

The dispute has continued as fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah complicates prospects for ending hostilities, with Tehran insisting those hostilities must end before a U.S.-Iran peace deal can be reached.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on Friday that US bases in the region used to launch aggression against Iran are considered legitimate targets, as Al Jazeera described flare-ups that have followed a temporary ceasefire announced in April.

Al Jazeera also reported that Iran’s navy said it fired warning missiles and drones at US warships in the Gulf of Oman and accused the US Navy of harassing maritime traffic and seizing commercial vessels and oil tankers amid the ongoing U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports.

CBS News

In Kuwait, Al Jazeera said Iranian missiles and drones struck Kuwait’s international airport on Wednesday morning, while US Central Command said two Iranian missiles aimed at Kuwait had fallen short or broken apart.

The Independent reported that Iran’s navy fired warning missiles and drones at US warships in the Gulf of Oman on Friday and accused the American navy of harassing maritime traffic and seizing commercial vessels and oil tankers, citing Iranian state media.

The Independent added that Oman suspended oil loading operations at the Mina al Fahal terminal after an explosion near the facility, with sources familiar with the matter telling Reuters it was allegedly caused by a drone attack.

While negotiations continue, Arms Control Association reported that even if an agreement is reached, Washington and Tehran said it will not address nuclear issues in detail and that more negotiations will be necessary.

“What to know about the Iran war today: - An adviser to Iran's supreme leader told CNN that U”

CBS News

The Arms Control Association account also said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told Iranian state media on May 25 that “no one can claim that the signing of an agreement is imminent.”

NBC News reported Trump told Kristen Welker that “It takes years to do these things,” and that he criticized those urging him to quickly reach a deal with Iran to end the conflict.

In the CNN interview, Mohsen Rezaei said the $24 billion amount is a “trust test” and warned that if the U.S. resumes fighting, Iran could “give another dimension to the war” by attacking U.S. bases.

Rezaei also said the U.S. blockade must be lifted and that Iran could expand the conflict beyond the Gulf region to the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, according to CBS News’ account of his warnings.