Iran's deputy foreign minister Kazzam Gharib Abadi said no agreement can be reached unless the U.S. lifts sanctions and releases frozen assets [1].
This demand signals a rigid diplomatic stance from Tehran during a period of heightened regional tension. By making financial relief a non-negotiable precondition, Iran is leveraging its economic grievances to secure broader concessions from Washington.
Speaking in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on May 19, 2026 [1], Gharib Abadi outlined the requirements for future negotiations. He said that the release of frozen funds and the removal of sanctions are essential steps before any deal can be finalized.
"No agreement can be reached without lifting the sanctions and releasing our frozen funds," Gharib Abadi said [1].
The deputy foreign minister also expressed frustration with the current state of diplomatic drafting. He said that the U.S. had altered a draft memorandum of understanding, a move he described as unacceptable [1].
Tehran argues that these financial requirements are not merely economic but are tied to national security. According to the official, regional stability requires a genuine deterrent against aggression, which Iran believes is linked to its economic sovereignty, and the recovery of its assets [1].
The insistence on the release of frozen assets has been a recurring point of contention in U.S.-Iran relations for years. These funds, held in various international accounts, remain a primary target for Iranian diplomats seeking to stabilize their domestic economy.
“"No agreement can be reached without lifting the sanctions and releasing our frozen funds,"”
The demand for the immediate release of frozen assets and the lifting of sanctions indicates that Iran is unlikely to make concessions on its nuclear or regional activities without guaranteed financial relief. By rejecting the U.S. draft memorandum of understanding, Tehran is signaling that it views Washington's current approach as insufficient, potentially prolonging the diplomatic stalemate.
