Iran Condemns Trump's Threat Over Frozen Assets

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday condemned former U.S. President Donald Trump's recent remarks regarding the use of frozen Iranian assets to compensate for damages, labeling the statement "incendiary" and a clear violation of international law and the U.N. Charter. The condemnation came after Trump, speaking at a rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, on May 11, 2024, stated that if he were to be re-elected, he would use Iranian money that the U.S. "has in its possession, and controls" to pay for damages. He specifically mentioned that "billions of dollars" of Iranian money would be used for this purpose.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani reiterated that such threats are not new from U.S. officials and are aimed at creating political pressure. He emphasized that the assets in question are sovereign property of the Islamic Republic of Iran and are under the control of the U.S. Treasury Department. Kanaani stated that any action taken by the U.S. against these assets would be considered a violation of international norms and would be met with a firm response from Iran. He further accused the U.S. of using economic sanctions as a tool for political leverage and coercion.

Kanaani highlighted that the Iranian government has consistently pursued legal and diplomatic channels to reclaim its frozen assets. He pointed to previous instances where Iran has challenged U.S. actions in international courts. The spokesperson stressed that the Iranian judiciary is also actively pursuing legal avenues to recover these funds. The ministry's statement serves as a formal diplomatic protest and a warning against any unilateral action by the United States concerning Iran's financial reserves held abroad.