Published：May 26, 10:40Last updated：Jun 7, 20:45

US-Iran Asset Dispute Escalates as Treasury Considers Gulf Compensation Plan

May. 26, 2026 10:40

Iran will not negotiate with the US until its frozen foreign assets are unfrozen, according to Fars News Agency. An Iranian delegation arrived in Doha to discuss the negotiation process, while the head of Iran's Central Bank is also in Qatar to address the asset issue. Iran demands the release of $24 billion, with half to be transferred immediately.

Summarized

30News

19Media

Jun. 7, 2026 19:43

Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran, stated that Iran's foreign assets are not trophies for the US or its allies. He warned that Tehran would respond to any attempts by Washington to seize these assets. The statement was made on social media platform X on June 7, 2026.

Jun. 7, 2026 20:45

On June 7, former US President Trump stated that unfreezing Iranian assets or lifting sanctions wouldn't be prerequisites for any agreement with Iran.

The U.S. Treasury is evaluating plans to use frozen Iranian assets to compensate Gulf allies for damages caused by Iranian attacks, while President Trump reaffirmed that asset unfreezing won't occur without a peace agreement. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned that any unauthorized use of these assets would trigger a proportional response, calling them "not US military trophies." The developments come amid stalled negotiations over $24 billion in frozen Iranian funds and conflicting demands between the two nations.

💸 Asset Redirection Plan

The Treasury Department is considering multiple approaches:

Direct cash transfers to affected Gulf states
Physical asset utilization (e.g., oil tankers)
Legal frameworks for damage compensation
Iran has escalated its demands from $12B (May) to $38T (June) while rejecting any third-party use of its assets Huanqiu+2.

⚖️ Negotiation Stance

Key positions as of June 7:

US insists no asset release before peace deal
Iran demands immediate access to frozen funds
Trump mentions potential uranium destruction cooperation post-deal
The deadlock persists despite Iran's threats of retaliation Huanqiu+2.

🏗️ Gulf Compensation Focus

Damage assessment priorities:

Country	Damage Type	Estimated Cost
Kuwait	Port strikes	$3.2B
Bahrain	Military base hits	$1.8B
US officials confirm funds would target immediate repairs Huanqiu+2.

🌐 Diplomatic Fallout

The asset dispute carries wider implications:

Potential Iranian retaliation in Strait of Hormuz
Erosion of remaining negotiation channels
International legal challenges over asset seizure
Experts warn of prolonged regional instability RIA Novosti+2.

Doha talksDonald TrumpQatar mediationFars News AgencyIran Central Bank

topic.regionalNarratives

China

Coverage centers on US plans to use frozen Iranian assets for Gulf allies' compensation, with conflicting statements from US leadership about preconditions for asset release.

France

Reporting highlights US President Trump's firm stance on maintaining frozen Iranian assets until an agreement is reached, with mentions of potential nuclear cooperation.

Russia

Reporting emphasizes Iran's strong rejection of US plans to repurpose frozen assets, framing any such action as illegal under international law.

United Kingdom

Coverage centers on US plans to redirect frozen Iranian assets to Gulf states for reconstruction following Iranian strikes, highlighting geopolitical tensions.

South Korea

Coverage focuses on US assessments to use Iranian assets for Gulf state reconstruction, framing the move as a response to Iran's regional aggression.

Japan

Reporting highlights anticipated Iranian backlash against US plans to use frozen assets for Gulf reconstruction, with ongoing negotiation tensions over asset release.

United States

Reporting frames Iran's asset demands as creating political complications for US leadership while highlighting the frozen funds as a major negotiation hurdle.