Iran’s senior military adviser Mohsen Rezaei has declared that Tehran will not sign any agreement with the United States unless Washington releases $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets. Speaking to CNN in Tehran on Friday, Rezaei warned that if hostilities resume, the US would enter a “dark tunnel.” He said negotiations remain stalled and that President Donald Trump must take steps to break the deadlock.

According to the report, Iran demanded the release of $12 billion immediately after signing an interim deal and another $12 billion later. US officials reportedly fear that releasing the funds could remove key leverage over Tehran. Rezaei described the unfreezing of assets as a trust-building measure and a test of America’s sincerity. He also dismissed the possibility of a meeting between Trump and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Ali Khamenei, saying talks are still in the early stage.

Rezaei further warned that renewed conflict could expand beyond the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, and Mediterranean. However, he noted that the likelihood of a new war remains low.