Iran Rejects Trump-Khamenei Meeting, Demands Frozen Assets Release to Revive Talks

Iran has ruled out the possibility of a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with a senior adviser accusing Washington of stalling negotiations and failing to take steps needed to build trust.

In an interview with CNN, senior military adviser Mohsen Rezaei said talks had reached a deadlock because the US had not addressed Iran’s key demands, including the release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets and an end to the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. He described both measures as essential confidence-building steps if Washington is serious about reaching an agreement with Tehran.

The remarks came days after Trump said he would be open to meeting Khamenei and would consider it an honour if diplomatic progress created such an opportunity. Tehran, however, swiftly dismissed the prospect.

Rezaei also warned that Iran is prepared for a prolonged conflict if negotiations collapse. He said Tehran could expand the scope of the war beyond the Gulf, threatening to target US military facilities across a wider region stretching from the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.

The Iranian adviser further urged Trump to make policy decisions independently of Israel and prioritise what he called the broader interests of the American people. According to Rezaei, releasing Iran’s frozen funds and easing pressure on the country could open a new chapter in US-Iran relations, but only if Washington demonstrates what Tehran views as genuine political will.