Iran Rejects US Control Over Unfrozen Assets Amid Nuclear Talks

Technical discussions held in Buergenstock have yielded a roadmap toward a permanent agreement, with both parties aiming to resolve the conflict within 60 days. To facilitate this, the United States has waived specific sanctions for a two-month period. Two new working groups will convene shortly to tackle the removal of broader sanctions and address outstanding nuclear concerns, building on an interim deal signed last week.

Contention remains over the $12 billion in oil revenues and central bank reserves currently trapped overseas. Vice President JD Vance recently claimed that the United States and Qatar would exert control over the funds, suggesting they be used to purchase American agricultural commodities like corn, soy, and wheat. Bahreini explicitly rejected this narrative, describing such claims as an infringement on Iranian sovereignty. While acknowledging that Washington and Doha will handle the technical logistics of the transfers, the ambassador maintained that Iran will not permit any foreign influence over its procurement decisions. These assets represent years of accumulated wealth, and for Tehran, the right to allocate them independently remains a non-negotiable component of the diplomatic process.