Iran’s Supreme Leader adviser said negotiations with the U.S. are stalled over
frozen assets and that any interim deal hinges on Washington unfreezing $24bn,
with $12bn released immediately and the remaining $12bn in a later phase. He
said U.S. officials worry an early unfreeze would weaken their leverage. The
adviser warned that if the U.S. restarts military action Iran would expand
attacks beyond the Persian Gulf — from the Strait of Hormuz to the Indian Ocean,
Bab al‑Mandeb, the Red Sea and the Mediterranean — and could strike other U.S.
bases previously hit, while adding the risk of full-scale war remains low. He
denied any meeting between the Supreme Leader and Trump; Trump this week said he
would be willing to meet.
