Iran demands release of $20 billion in frozen assets amid comprehensive sanctions relief talks

Iran has requested comprehensive sanctions relief and the unfreezing of more than $20 billion in assets from the US, according to a report by CNN citing a source familiar with the negotiation process.

Current US sanctions against Iran include commercial and financial embargoes that block the country’s oil exports and restrict the access of Iranian banks to the global financial system.

The Washington administration also enforces restrictions on energy sector investments and the defense industry, while maintaining targeted sanctions against specific individuals and entities.

According to information relayed by the network, one proposal submitted by Washington to Tehran involves the release of frozen assets in exchange for Iran surrendering its stockpiles of enriched uranium.

An Iranian official speaking to the channel reported that the duration of the nuclear program’s suspension remains one of the primary points of contention in negotiations between the parties.

The official denied statements by US President Donald Trump suggesting that Tehran had agreed to suspend the program for an indefinite period. The Iranian official emphasized that Tehran would under no circumstances accept being “exempted from international law.”

According to data shared by US officials, Iran possesses approximately 970 pounds (about 440 kg) of highly enriched uranium, the vast majority of which is located in Isfahan.

During a previous round of talks held in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on April 11, US representatives offered Iran a 20-year pause in uranium enrichment activities.

The Tehran administration countered this proposal by suggesting the period be reduced to five years, but the US side did not approve this request.

US President Donald Trump, in an interview with CBS News on April 17, stated that Iran had “accepted everything,” including the removal of enriched uranium from the country.

Trump noted that the Tehran administration would act in full cooperation with Washington during this process.

One day after Trump’s remarks, on April 18, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei provided an assessment of the matter. Baghaei stated that Iran would in no way permit the removal of enriched uranium from the country.

Donald Trump identifies preventing the development of Iran’s nuclear program as one of the fundamental objectives of the US operational strategy toward Tehran.

The Russian government previously declared its readiness to accept the uranium slated for removal from Iran, though the US side had not supported that initiative.

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, evaluating the latest status of the proposal, stated that this option is not currently on the negotiating table. Peskov added, “President Vladimir Putin is ready to return to this initiative if the need arises.”