Trump Ties Sanctions Relief to Iran Peace Deal

US President Donald Trump stated in a June 5 interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that he will not unfreeze Iranian assets or lift sanctions until a peace deal is finalized. Trump indicated the U.S. is “very close” to an agreement, though he threatened further military action if negotiations fail, according to reports published June 7, 2026.

Why won’t Trump unfreeze Iranian assets yet?

President Trump has tied the release of frozen Iranian assets and the lifting of sanctions directly to the completion of a peace agreement. He told NBC News that these financial concessions are not starting points for negotiations but are rewards that “come after” a deal is reached.

The president’s condition for these steps depends on the behavior of the Iranian government. He noted that if they “behave” and “do a good job,” the U.S. will begin discussions regarding the assets and sanctions. This approach signals a refusal to use financial leverage as an incentive to reach the deal, instead positioning it as a final step in the process.

How is the Lebanon issue being handled in the Iran deal?

Trump is intentionally separating the situation in Lebanon from the immediate negotiations with Tehran. He stated that he is not demanding Lebanon be included as part of a short-term deal to end the conflict with Iran.

While he acknowledged that some parties might want Lebanon included in the agreement, he clarified his position on the matter during the June 5 interview.

“I think they’d like to see it, but I’m not demanding,”

What is the current status of the US-Iran conflict?

The current diplomatic tension follows a period of active military engagement. US and Israeli forces began conducting strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026. As of June 7, 2026, the conflict has reached its 100th day.

There is a visible discrepancy between the rhetoric of the president and his top diplomats regarding the state of the war. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has insisted to lawmakers that a temporary ceasefire agreement has remained in place. Rubio described recent US strikes on Iran as “defensive actions” that have not broken the ceasefire.

Trump’s tone is more aggressive. He told NBC News that while the U.S. is “very close” to a deal, the alternative is a significant escalation of force.

“We’re very close to a deal, or I’m going to blow the hell out of them,”

Will Trump speak with Iran’s Supreme Leader?

The president expressed a willingness to communicate directly with Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. Khamenei has not appeared in public since he was wounded during US strikes at the start of the conflict.

Trump suggested he may have intelligence regarding the supreme leader’s current whereabouts, though he stopped short of confirming the exact location.

This openness to direct dialogue comes amid a volatile period where the Trump administration has spent weeks attempting to negotiate a peace deal while simultaneously maintaining military pressure through strikes and sanctions.