Iran has told the United States it will not move forward on a nuclear deal until Washington releases $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets, a demand framed as a test of trust. At the same time, U.S. forces shot down four Iranian drones and six missiles targeting maritime traffic near the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the volatile mix of diplomacy and military posturing in the region.

Iran's $24 billion frozen‑asset demand as a trust test

Senior military adviser Mohsen Rezaei, speaking on Friday, said the $24 billion request – split into two $12 billion tranches – is a precondition for any meaningful negotiation, calling it “a test of trust that America must pass.” He emphasized that the money belongs to Iran, not the United States, and wraned that failure to meet the demand could expand the conflict beyond the Persian Gulf.

U.S. intercepts four drones and six missiles near the Strait of Hormuz

U.S. central Command reported that American forces shot down four one‑way attack drones and intercepted six missiles aimed at regional maritime traffic, with a seventh missile failing to reach its target.. The strikes hit Iranian radar sites on Qeshm Island and Goruk, while Bahrain heard air‑raid sirens and Kuwait’s defenses engaged the threats .

Oak Ridge meeting signals Trump team’s technical prep

According to Axios, White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner traveled to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, on Thursday to consult with a roughly 100‑member team of nuclear specialists. The group is tasked with drafting verification mechanisms, enrichment limits, and disposal plans for Iran’s uranium stockpile should an interim agreement be signed.

Dispute over uranium stockpile disposal timeline

The remaining technical gap centers on how quickly Iran must down‑blend or dispose of its enriched uranium. President Trump is reportedly pushing for a 60‑day deadline, whereas Iranian negotiators favor a 90‑day window, a difference that could stall the broader framework.

What remains unclear about the phased asset release

While the $12 billion upfront payment is tied to an interim deal, the conditions for the second tranche are vague.. Sources say the second phase would involve “months of highly technical discussions,” but no concrete schedule has been disclosed, leaving both sides uncertain about the timing of any further releases.

As the diplomatic track advances, the military exchanges illustrate how quickly the region could slide back into open conflict if trust is not quickly established.