US President Donald Trump said Washington will eventually have to return  Iran’s frozen assets, arguing that permanently withholding the funds would undermine international confidence in the US dollar.

Speaking during a press conference in Evian, France, on Wednesday, Trump acknowledged that the assets belong to Iran and suggested their eventual return is necessary to preserve trust in the global financial system.

“It’s not our money, it’s their money, and we froze it at a certain point in time,” Trump said. “I guess we’re going to have to give it back. If we didn’t give it back, nobody would ever invest in the dollar again.”

The remarks come amid ongoing discussions surrounding a potential framework agreement between Washington and Tehran following months of tensions linked to the US-Israeli war on Iran, sanctions, and the future management of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump claims US has leverage over Lebanon ceasefire

During the same press conference, Trump said the United States possesses sufficient leverage to ensure compliance with the ceasefire arrangement between “Israel” and Hezbollah.

Asked how Washington could influence both sides, Trump pointed to the broader regional situation involving Iran, suggesting recent developments had strengthened US influence.

“I think we have leverage,” Trump said, describing the Lebanon front as a “much smaller conflict” that should be easier to resolve than other regional disputes.

His comments come as Lebanon continues to witness repeated Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement, including airstrikes, drone attacks, and incursions into Lebanese territory despite international calls for de-escalation.

Trump thanks Putin and Xi over Iran stance

Trump also thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping for what he described as their neutral positions during the US confrontation with Iran.

“I want to thank China, President Xi … he stayed neutral, totally neutral, and I appreciate it,” Trump said.

He also expressed gratitude toward Putin, stating that both leaders could have made the situation “much more difficult” for Washington but chose not to do so.

The comments reflect the broader diplomatic dimension of the crisis, as China and Russia have continued advocating political solutions and negotiations while opposing military escalation in West Asia.

Frozen assets central to emerging negotiations

The issue of frozen Iranian assets has emerged as one of the key components of discussions surrounding a possible US-Iran understanding.

One of the central provisions of a proposed framework agreement involves the phased release of Iranian funds frozen abroad, alongside partial sanctions relief and arrangements related to energy exports and maritime security.

Sources familiar with the negotiations have indicated that the broader initiative seeks to transform the Strait of Hormuz from a flashpoint of confrontation into a platform for regional cooperation, while establishing new mechanisms for addressing Iran’s nuclear file through a multilateral framework involving regional and international guarantors.

The negotiations remain ongoing, with several outstanding issues still under discussion, including sanctions, regional security arrangements, and guarantees regarding future implementation of any agreement.

Read: Iran assets not US spoils of war or fund to pay allies