Iran warns US against confiscating frozen assets

Iran's top diplomat warned that confiscating another country's assets to cover unrelated claims would set a dangerous precedent after US President Donald Trump threatened to use frozen Iranian funds to compensate for alleged damage to ships and cargo in and around the Persian Gulf. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said any future damage to "Ships, Cargo, or anything related thereto" would be compensated using Iranian assets held under US control. "Please let this statement serve to represent, until further notice, that from this point forth, any and all damages done to Ships, Cargo, or anything related thereto, will be paid for by Iranian Money that the United States has in its possession, and controls," the US president wrote.

Responding in a post on X on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi warned that such a move would undermine international norms governing state assets. "Seizing another nation's assets to pay for unrelated future claims is an incendiary precedent," he said. "Those who celebrate or profit from such funds should remember: once governments normalize confiscation, no one's assets are safe. Ensuing chaos will not be pretty or peaceful," the top Iranian diplomat added.

The exchange came as the US carried out a 13th consecutive night of military strikes against Iran. The US military has been conducting waves of deadly aerial assaults on Iran, targeting civilian sites in a blatant war crime. In response, Iranian Armed Forces launched heavy reprisal attacks against strategic American targets across West Asia. The US and the Israeli regime waged their illegal war of aggression against Iran on February 28. However, forty days later, on April 8, the enemies were forced to accept a ceasefire amid Iran’s brave resistance and successful retaliatory operations.

According to Mehr News Agency, the warning from Araghchi highlights the ongoing tensions between Iran and the US, with the threat of asset confiscation adding a new dimension to the conflict. The report also noted the broader context of military strikes and retaliations that have characterized the recent hostilities.