President Donald Trump announced on June 26, 2026 [1], that Iran could become a new export destination for American agricultural products.
The proposal seeks to create a significant trade opportunity for U.S. producers while addressing reported food shortages within Iran [2], [3].
Trump said the U.S. would utilize unfrozen Iranian assets to facilitate the purchase of American wheat, corn, and soybeans [3]. He said, "We have a new market called the lovely country of Iran" [1].
This strategy would allow the U.S. to reclaim a portion of Iranian funds by directing them toward domestic farmers [3]. The administration intends to use these assets to ensure that American agricultural surpluses find a new buyer in the Middle East [2].
Iranian officials have already pushed back against the proposal. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Iran's Parliament, said, "We alone will decide how any unfrozen assets are used" [3].
The disagreement centers on the control of the funds. While the U.S. administration suggests a mechanism where the U.S. directs the spending of unfrozen assets, the Iranian government maintains that the authority over those funds remains with Tehran [3].
“"We have a new market called the lovely country of Iran."”
This proposal represents a shift toward using financial leverage and frozen assets as tools for trade expansion. By linking the release of assets to the purchase of U.S. commodities, the administration is attempting to support the domestic agricultural sector while exerting control over Iranian finances. However, the immediate rejection by the Iranian Parliament suggests that the plan faces significant diplomatic hurdles regarding sovereign control of funds.
