Washington: US President Donald Trump has defended the eventual return of frozen Iranian assets, arguing that failing to restore another country’s funds could damage international confidence in the US dollar and the global financial system.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, Trump acknowledged that the United States had frozen substantial Iranian assets but stressed that the funds ultimately belong to Iran and may have to be returned as part of the broader diplomatic process.
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“The money is not ours; it belongs to them. We froze it, and at some point, I believe we will have to give it back. If we don’t, nobody will want to invest in the dollar again,” Trump said.
The President noted that while retaining the assets might appear politically advantageous, such a decision could have lasting consequences for the credibility and reliability of the US financial system.
Reflecting on the issue, Trump said he had considered whether the United States should keep the frozen funds but concluded that doing so would send the wrong message to countries holding assets in US dollars.
“I thought about it and wondered why we should give the money back. But many countries, including some we don’t always agree with, hold their reserves in dollars. They would fear that even a minor disagreement could result in the United States permanently seizing their assets,” he said.
Trump also highlighted the strength of the US dollar under his administration, suggesting that maintaining trust in the American financial system remains critical to preserving its global dominance.
His remarks come amid evolving diplomatic discussions with Tehran, where the future of frozen Iranian assets continues to be a significant issue in negotiations between the two countries.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
