US-Iran talks focus on phased asset release as Iran outlines four-stage plan

A potential U.S.-Iran agreement appears to hinge on how and when frozen Iranian assets are released, as Iranian media also reported a four-stage plan linking military de-escalation, sanctions relief and later nuclear talks. CNN reported on June 6 that Iran wants access to $24 billion in frozen assets soon after an initial memorandum of understanding, while Trump administration officials fear an early release would weaken U.S. leverage. Saudi Al Arabiya reported on June 4 that talks on unfreezing the assets are near a final stage and that one option is a special fund under international oversight for phased releases. Separately, Fars News reported that Iran proposed a four-stage framework beginning with a halt to military action, followed by arrangements related to the Strait of Hormuz, blockades, oil restrictions, sanctions and a partial asset unfreezing, before moving to broader sanctions issues and nuclear negotiations under an oversight committee.