Trump Declares No Iranian Asset Unfreeze or Sanctions Relief Before Peace Deal
Former U.S. President Donald Trump affirms that Iranian assets and sanctions relief will only be considered after a comprehensive peace agreement is secured, not before.
Trump Sets Preconditions for Iran Deal: No Unfreezing of Assets or Sanctions Lift Until Peace is Secured
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, in an interview with NBC News' "Meet the Press" recorded on Friday, June 5, 2026, and reported on June 7, firmly stated his administration's position on any potential peace deal with Iran: the unfreezing of Iranian assets and the lifting of sanctions would only occur after an agreement has been finalized. "Comes after," Trump articulated, clarifying that such measures would be contingent on Iran's post-deal conduct. "Yeah. If they behave, if they do a good job, we start talking. Yeah."
The remarks come amid ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to negotiate a peace deal following military actions. U.S. and Israeli forces initiated strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026. Despite these actions, top administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have maintained that a temporary ceasefire agreement remains in effect, characterizing recent U.S. strikes as defensive measures.
Trump also addressed the role of Lebanon in these negotiations, indicating that while some might desire Lebanon's involvement, it was not a demand he was making for a short-term deal with Tehran. "I think they'd like to see it, but I'm not demanding," he said during the interview.
Expressing a mix of urgency and ultimatum regarding the ongoing situation, Trump told NBC News, "We're very close to a deal, or I'm going to blow the hell out of them." This statement underscores the high stakes and the administration's resolve in the delicate diplomatic process.
Significantly, Trump also expressed his willingness to engage directly with Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. Khamenei has not been seen in public since sustaining injuries in U.S. strikes at the outset of the conflict. Trump hinted at knowledge of the leader's whereabouts, stating, "I don't want to say whether or not I know where he is, but there's a good probability that I do." This suggests a potential avenue for high-level dialogue if the conditions were met.
The interview, reported from New Brunswick, New Jersey, on June 7, further illuminated the strategic approach of the Trump administration in navigating the complex geopolitical landscape with Iran, emphasizing a sequence of actions where a solidified peace deal must precede any economic concessions.