Trump ties Iran sanctions relief to stalled peace deal

WASHINGTON (MNTV) – US President Donald Trump has said that Iranian assets will remain frozen and sanctions will not be lifted unless a formal peace agreement is reached, while issuing stark warnings of further military escalation in the ongoing confrontation with Iran.

In an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press, Trump stated that any economic relief for Tehran would only come after what he described as a satisfactory agreement. He added that discussions on sanctions removal would begin only if Iran “complies” under the terms of a future deal.

The remarks come as tensions remain high following months of military strikes involving US and Israeli forces in Iran, part of a broader conflict that has further destabilized the region.

Trump also downplayed expectations that Lebanon would be included in any short-term diplomatic arrangement with Iran, saying it was not a requirement in current discussions.

In comments that drew attention internationally, the US president reiterated a hardline stance, warning of overwhelming military action if negotiations fail to produce an agreement, further heightening concerns over escalation.

He also suggested openness to future dialogue with Iran’s leadership while claiming awareness of the whereabouts of senior Iranian figures, comments that analysts say could further inflame tensions.

US officials have described ongoing military activity as defensive, while maintaining that ceasefire arrangements remain in place despite continued strikes and retaliatory actions across the region.

Diplomatic efforts to secure a broader settlement between Washington and Tehran have been ongoing for weeks but remain fragile amid continued military pressure and conflicting public statements from both sides.

The latest remarks are likely to further complicate already strained negotiations as regional actors warn that continued escalation risks widening the conflict.