A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is not on the cards, a senior adviser to the Iranian leader has said, dismissing the possibility of high-level engagement between the two sides. Mohsen Rezaei, a senior military adviser to Khamenei, said Trump had failed to build sufficient trust with Tehran and accused the US President of pushing negotiations into a deadlock.
His remarks came days after Trump expressed openness to meeting Khamenei if ongoing talks resulted in an agreement.
"I don't want to meet, but if I did meet, I'd be honoured to meet him. I'd like to see if we make a deal, but if we make a deal, it's possible that I would meet him. I'd be okay with it," Trump told reporters at the White House on June 3.
'Trump Must Pass A Test Of Trust'
In an interview with CNN, Rezaei said the United States must take concrete steps if it wants negotiations to move forward. According to him, Washington should release $24 billion in Iranian assets that remain frozen abroad. Rezaei described the amount as relatively insignificant for the US but crucial for Iran.
"This is a sign of trust-building. If Trump takes the negotiations seriously, $24 billion is not much to America. If Trump wants to reach an agreement with Iran, this $24 billion is a test of trust that Iran wants to have. This is the test that America must pass and the path will be open. This is our own money, not America's," he said.
Iran Demands End To Strait Of Hormuz Blockade
Rezaei also called on Washington to end what he described as a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, saying such a move would demonstrate goodwill and help rebuild trust between the two countries. He argued that the release of frozen assets and easing of maritime restrictions could create conditions for a breakthrough in the stalled negotiations.
'We Will Expand The War If Conflict Continues'
Issuing a stark warning, Rezaei said Iran was prepared for a prolonged confrontation if talks failed. He claimed Tehran could widen the scope of the conflict beyond the Gulf region and target US military installations across a broader geographical area.
"If the war continues and the naval blockade is not lifted, we will drag the war to the Indian Ocean, to the Bab al-Mandab, to the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, and give another dimension to the war by attacking these other American bases," he said.
Rezaei also urged Trump to make decisions without being influenced by Israel, arguing that a more independent US approach could help improve ties with Tehran.
"Trump must make decisions independently of Israel. He must give the Iranian people what is rightfully theirs, stop the blockade, and release our frozen assets. This can open a new horizon for the future of Iran and America," he said.
He further added that Trump should prioritise the interests of the American people over personal or political considerations, saying that doing so could pave the way for resolving several long-standing disputes between the two countries.
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