Iran’s top negotiator rejects US claim on use of unfrozen assets

TEHRAN: Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Thursday rejected US claims that Iran’s unfrozen assets would be spent on US agricultural products, the latest sign of discord between the two sides over how the released funds should be spent, reported Xinhua.

In a post on the social media platform X, Ghalibaf, also a top Iranian negotiator, wrote that “America falsely claims our unfrozen assets will buy their agriculture. Interesting. The only crop we’re harvesting is what you planted: decades of mistrust.”

Ghalibaf’s post echoed previous remarks by other Iranian officials.

On Tuesday, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran would use the unfrozen assets entirely according to its national interests and without restrictions, adding that purchasing decisions would be based on price and quality.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Central Bank governor Abdolnaser Hemmati said Iran has no obligation to buy US agricultural products, though it would not rule out purchases if US goods are competitively priced.

The Iranian pushback came in response to US vice-president JD Vance’s claim on Monday that the unfrozen Iranian assets could be used to buy US soybeans, corn and wheat, and to President Donald Trump’s statement on Tuesday that the funds would go into a US-controlled escrow account and used exclusively to purchase US food and medical supplies, including corn, wheat, and soybeans.

The divide over the use of unfrozen assets highlights lingering tensions between Tehran and Washington, even as both sides pursue negotiations under a recently signed peace memorandum of understanding (MoU).

The MoU, signed on June 18, provides for 60 days of talks toward a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme and sanctions removal.

The latest round of negotiations was held in Switzerland on Sunday and Monday.