Iran nuclear talks deadlocked as Khamenei adviser demands $24B release

Mohsen Rezaei says ball is in Trump's court, while Hezbollah rejects ceasefire and Israeli ministers demand a cabinet vote.

Iran nuclear talks deadlocked as Khamenei adviser demands $24B release — Mohsen Rezaei, Iran's military advisor to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, stated in a CNN interview that negotiations between the United States and Iran are at a deadlock. He placed the onus on President Donald Trump to break the impasse, saying "the ball is in Trump's court."[^1] The negotiations hinge on the US releasing $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets, with $12 billion released upon signing a potential agreement and the remainder later.[^1] Meanwhile, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem rejected a fragile ceasefire approved in Washington and vowed to continue firing.[^3] Israeli ministers criticized the ceasefire and demanded it be brought to a cabinet vote, but Prime Minister Netanyahu refused, arguing that Hezbollah has not yet accepted the terms.[^3] The following night, Israeli strikes in Tyre killed seven people.[^3] The IDF announced on Friday that it eliminated Abd Harb, Hezbollah's chief engineer, last week.[^3] Lebanese commentator Imad Kamiha attacked Hezbollah and the Iranian regime, arguing the organization has turned from a resistance movement into a partner in corruption. He cried out: 'What honor are you talking about? We live in humiliation and no one cares about us.' The UN doubled its aid request for Lebanon to nearly $640 million.[^3] A Pew Research Center survey of 44,657 participants across 36 countries reveals 67% of adults worldwide hold a negative view of Israel. As tensions mount, the question remains: can a diplomatic off-ramp be found before the region slides into broader conflict? State institutions under strain as ex-minister warns of 'anarchy' — Former Justice Minister Daniel Friedman warned on 103FM radio that “there is real anarchy in the country” and that “a significant part of the government is almost non-functional, precisely the part under the control of the executive branch.”[^1] His comments come as a senior figure in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s circle, in a leaked recording, defended the Likud’s practice of filming votes during the recent state comptroller election, saying: “What do you mean, everyone in Likud filmed themselves. That’s the only way w