Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf

Iran’s parliament speaker rejects US claim unfrozen assets will fund American farm goods

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Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Baqir Qalibaf in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, on 11 April, 2026. [Iranian Foreign Ministry/Handout – Anadolu Agency]

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who heads the country’s negotiation team, on Thursday rejected a US claim that Tehran’s unfrozen assets would be used to buy American agricultural products.

“America falsely claims our unfrozen assets will buy their agriculture,” Qalibaf wrote on US social media company X.

“The only crop we’re harvesting is what you planted: decades of mistrust,” he added. “It’s organic, abundant, and homegrown.”

Qalibaf also criticized Washington’s trade and political record, saying the US “only exports GMO soybeans, broken promises and trash talks.”

His remarks came after US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that initial financial relief for Tehran would involve about $500 million in American goods.

Trump said no cash would be provided directly to Tehran and that Washington would use controlled Iranian funds to pay American farmers for exports such as corn and wheat.

READ: Trump says released Iranian funds to be used to buy US goods

“Food is desperately needed in Iran, and we will be purchasing it for them exclusively from the United States,” Trump said.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC on Wednesday that the US would oversee the release of Iranian frozen funds in the Gulf under Trump’s Iran deal.

“Any money that the Iranians get first is going to be used for the benefit of the Iranian people. It is going to be Iranian frozen funds,” Bessent said.

Bessent said the initial money would likely be released from Qatar, adding that US Treasury officials would be in Doha to oversee how the money is allocated.

He said a “very large percent” of the funds would go to buying US foodstuffs and medicines, adding that Washington would be “recycling the money back into US products” under Treasury oversight in the Middle East.

The comments come amid ongoing debate over the implementation of the recent Iran-US understanding, which includes provisions on sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian assets.

The agreement, mediated by Pakistan, entered into force on June 18 after being electronically signed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Trump.

READ: Iranian, Saudi foreign ministers discuss US negotiations, regional developments

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Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
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Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes’ concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country’s economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.

Continue ReadingIran’s parliament speaker rejects US claim unfrozen assets will fund American farm goods

Iran threatens to halt US negotiations if Israeli attacks continue in Lebanon

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A view of streets as daily life continues amid fragile ceasefire in Tehran, Iran on May 12, 2026, as geopolitical tensions rise following recent statements from the United States. [Fatemeh Bahrami – Anadolu Agency]

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned on Sunday that negotiations for a peace deal with the US could be halted if Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue, Anadolu reports.

In a post on US social media company X, Qalibaf explained that the ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon reflect the US’ inability to fulfill its commitments.

“The Zionist attacks on the southern suburbs of Beirut once again demonstrate the United States’ lack of will or ability to fulfill its commitments,” he added.

The Israeli attacks on Lebanon “will not go unanswered,” Gen. Mohammad Jafar Asadi, deputy inspector brigadier general at Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces, said in a statement, according to Fars News Agency.

Asadi added that the Israeli attacks targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut “will not go unanswered.”

At least three people were killed and 15 others injured when the Israeli army launched airstrikes on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital Beirut on Sunday despite an ongoing ceasefire, state news agency NNA reported.

READ: 3 killed as Israeli army launches airstrikes in Lebanese capital in new ceasefire violation

The Israeli army has continued a bombing campaign on Lebanon since March 2 and occupied several towns in the country’s south.

The attacks have killed over 3,700 people, wounded nearly 11,500, and displaced over 1.5 million since March 2, according to Lebanese officials.

While US President Donald Trump said the deal with Iran that will open the Strait of Hormuz will be signed on Sunday, Iran has disputed the timeline, and said a final decision is under consideration. After the Israeli strike in Beirut on Sunday, Trump said the attack “should not have happened … when we are so close” to the deal. He urged both Israel and Hezbollah to “stand down,” and hoped for a “long and beautiful peace.”

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country has been mediating between the US and Iran, also said on Saturday that the deal could be finalized in the next 24 hours.

While Iran has called for ending the war on all fronts including Lebanon, release of its frozen assets and end of US blockade of its ports; the US is demanding that Tehran halt its nuclear program and fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

READ: Israeli ministers call for bombing Beirut despite ceasefire

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Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/

Continue ReadingIran threatens to halt US negotiations if Israeli attacks continue in Lebanon