Iran's Supreme Leader Advisor: Iran-US Negotiations Stalled Over Frozen Assets, Denies Meeting Between Supreme Leader and Trump

June 6 (CNN) — A senior Iranian official told CNN Friday that a potential peace deal between the U.S. and Iran hinges on the Trump administration agreeing to unfreeze $240 billion in Iranian assets. He also warned that if the U.S. resumes military action, it will be “embarking on a dark path.” An advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader stated in a CNN interview: “Negotiations have hit an impasse, and Trump must break this deadlock. The ball is now in Trump’s court.” Iran is demanding the immediate release of $120 billion in frozen funds once a temporary agreement is signed with the U.S., with another $120 billion to be unfrozen in a later phase. U.S. officials are concerned that releasing funds at this stage would erode a key leverage against the Iranian regime. The advisor referred to the asset release as a confidence-building measure, saying that if the Trump administration moves forward with this step, it would “open a new chapter for the future of Iran and the U.S.” He also warned that if the U.S. resumes conflict, Iran will expand “war” beyond the Persian Gulf, with military operations potentially extending from the Strait of Hormuz to the Indian Ocean, Bab el Mandeb, Red Sea, and the Mediterranean. “We will escalate the war to a new level by targeting other U.S. military bases that were previously attacked,” he said, but added, “The likelihood of a war breaking out is low.” When asked about a possible meeting between Trump and Rouhani, he responded: “That will not happen. We are currently in the first phase of negotiations, and Trump has stalled the talks.” This week, Trump noted that he seems to “get along well” with Rouhani and expressed that he would be “honored” to meet him.