Trump and Iran Exchange Conflicting Claims on Frozen Assets and Nuclear Inspections

President Trump and Iranian officials have presented sharply conflicting public statements regarding the conditions attached to the release of approximately $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets held in Qatar and the scope of nuclear inspections. Trump announced on June 23 that Iran has agreed to unlimited international atomic energy agency (IAEA) inspections indefinitely and that unfrozen funds would be placed in US-controlled escrow accounts for purchases of American food and medical supplies, specifically including corn, wheat, and soybeans. He stated that without nuclear inspection agreements, there would be no further negotiations.

Iran's government categorically rejected both claims. Iran's Central Bank Governor Hemati stated that according to the signed memorandum of understanding, Iran has no obligation to purchase American agricultural products and retains full discretion over how to use its assets. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Baghaei declared that Iran will use unfrozen funds freely based on national interests, with purchasing decisions made by relevant ministries according to price and quality considerations. On nuclear inspections, Baghaei denied that Iran has agreed to any new inspection arrangements, asserting that cooperation with the IAEA will continue under existing procedures and that no plans exist for inspectors to visit key nuclear facilities at Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow that were bombed by the US a year prior.

The disputes stem from a June 2023 prisoner-exchange agreement and a recently negotiated 14-point memorandum of understanding involving Qatar as mediator and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. According to reports, US officials including Vice President Vance claimed that if assets are unfrozen, both American and Qatari officials would have approval rights over the process. Iran's UN Geneva representative Bahreini countered that Iran alone has the right to decide asset usage, while acknowledging that the US and Qatar would handle technical aspects of unfreezing since the funds are US-controlled and partially held in Qatar.

Experts note that both sides appear to be employing public posturing strategies. According to sources familiar with negotiations, IAEA Director General Grossi shuttled between delegations at a Swiss resort discussing inspection access requirements, and Iran appeared to accept the principle of broader inspection authority in theory. However, Iran expressed unwillingness to commit to timelines and specifics before resolving other agreement components, particularly regarding when the billions in frozen funds would be released. Secretary of State Rubio acknowledged Iran's complex internal politics while noting that the US knows what Iran has agreed to and will assess whether Iran follows through.

The pattern of conflicting public statements—with Trump announcing claimed concessions that Iran immediately denies—reflects a fundamental negotiation dynamic where both sides appear to be shaping narratives for domestic audiences while gaps remain on key issues. Analysts suggest the rushed pace, driven by pressure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and maintain Trump's negotiating momentum, may be complicating efforts to reach genuine consensus on disputed provisions.