In recent days, the Trump administration has examined potential economic incentives for Iran in exchange for the regime stopping uranium enrichment. This includes the possibility of releasing billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets, as reported by three sources familiar with the discussions.
The proposed plan would also enable Iran to receive assistance from neighboring countries to establish a civilian nuclear program, potentially providing Tehran with access to up to $30 billion.
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According to the sources, this proposal is among several ideas the administration is considering. CNN was the first to report on the details of these discussions.
The potential deal would mark a major reversal in policy for President Trump, who pulled the U.S. out of the Obama administration’s nuclear deal with Iran in 2018 arguing in part that the sanctions relief and unfreezing of Iranian assets had provided a “lifeline of cash” to the Iranian regime to continue its malign activities.
Still, it is not immediately clear if the financial proposal or any negotiations between the U.S. and Iran will move forward.
In a Truth Social post Friday night, Trump said he “never heard of this ridiculous idea,” adding that it was “just another HOAX put out by the Fake News.”
Earlier Friday, Trump threatened to drop any possible sanctions relief for Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared victory in the war against Israel and downplayed the significance of U.S. attacks on their nuclear sites.
“Why would the so-called ‘Supreme Leader,’ Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, of the war torn Country of Iran, say so blatantly and foolishly that he won the War with Israel, when he knows his statement is a lie?” Trump wrote in a lengthy post on Truth Social, adding. “During the last few days, I was working on the possible removal of sanctions, and other things, which would have given a much better chance to Iran at a full, fast, and complete recovery — The sanctions are BITING! But no, instead I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust.”
In a pre-recorded speech on Iranian state TV on Thursday, Khamenei said: “The Islamic Republic was victorious and, in retaliation, delivered a hand slap to America’s face.”
He added: “This action can be repeated in the future.”
But later on Friday, Trump insisted the Iranians still wanted to meet with him to discuss possible sanctions relief.
“They do want to meet me, and we’ll do that quickly. We’re going to do it quickly,” Trump told reporters during a White House meeting with the foreign ministers of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda.
“Don’t you think we have sanctions on there that they can’t do anything? Wouldn’t you think that they want to meet me? I mean, they’re not stupid people.”
