Iran is seeking to lift the freeze on its assets and obtain an immediate $12 billion [1] in negotiations with the U.S.
This demand signals a shift in Tehran's diplomatic strategy, prioritizing immediate liquidity over long-term political promises to rebuild trust with Washington.
Dr. Hassan Ahmadian, a professor of Middle East studies at the University of Tehran, said Iran is approaching the negotiation file from a purely economic perspective. He said that the Iranian government is refusing to provide any free concessions during the process [1].
The focus on the asset freeze is driven by a fundamental lack of trust in future U.S. promises [1]. According to Ahmadian, Tehran views the immediate release of these funds as a core economic pillar necessary for restoring a relationship that has seen trust completely lost [1].
The request for $12 billion [1] represents a specific financial target that Tehran believes is essential for its economic stability. By framing the issue as a business transaction rather than a political agreement, Iran aims to secure tangible assets before committing to further diplomatic steps [1].
This economic-first approach reflects a cautious stance toward U.S. foreign policy. Ahmadian said the insistence on immediate payment is a direct response to the perceived unreliability of previous agreements, a move intended to ensure that any ability to rebuild trust is backed by financial reality [1].
“Iran is seeking to lift the freeze on its assets and obtain an immediate $12 billion.”
By demanding a specific sum of $12 billion upfront, Iran is attempting to mitigate the risk of future U.S. policy reversals. This strategy shifts the negotiation from a trust-based diplomatic framework to a transactional one, where financial recovery serves as the prerequisite for any further geopolitical cooperation.
