Iran rejects US claim on use of unfrozen assets, uncoordinated shipping warned

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Thursday rejected U.S. claims that Iran's unfrozen assets would be spent on U.S. agricultural products, the latest sign of discord between the two sides over how the released funds should be spent, reported Xinhua.

In a post on social media platform X, Ghalibaf, also a top Iranian negotiator, wrote that "America falsely claims our unfrozen assets will buy their agriculture. Interesting. The only crop we're harvesting is what you planted: decades of mistrust."

Ghalibaf's post echoed previous remarks by other Iranian officials. On Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran would use the unfrozen assets entirely according to its national interests and without restrictions, adding that purchasing decisions would be based on price and quality.

Meanwhile, Iran's Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati said Iran has no obligation to buy U.S. agricultural products, though it would not rule out purchases if U.S. goods are competitively priced.

The Iranian pushback came in response to U.S. Vice President JD Vance's claim on Monday that the unfrozen Iranian assets could be used to buy U.S. soybeans, corn and wheat, and to U.S. President Donald Trump's statement on Tuesday that the funds would go into a U.S.-controlled escrow account and used exclusively to purchase U.S. food and medical supplies, including corn, wheat, and soybeans.

The divide over the use of unfrozen assets highlights lingering tensions between Tehran and Washington, even as both sides pursue negotiations under a recently signed peace memorandum of understanding (MoU).

The MoU, signed on June 18, provides for 60 days of talks toward a final agreement on Iran's nuclear program and sanctions removal. The latest round of negotiations was held in Switzerland on Sunday and Monday.

Meanwhile, the Navy of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) on Thursday once again stressed that the only authorized routes for vessels' passage through the Strait of Hormuz are the ones announced by Iranian authorities.

It made the remarks in a statement published on the IRGC's official news outlet Sepah News while warning that ships' movement through other routes is dangerous and prohibited.

The IRGC's Navy made the announcement after the Oman Maritime Security Center released guidelines for outbound ships' passage through the strait under an arrangement with the International Maritime Organization.

The IRGC's Navy added that everyone must know that the only routes for passage through the strait are those announced by Iran, and traffic outside those routes is very dangerous and prohibited, and must be strictly avoided.

On Tuesday, Iran and Oman issued a joint statement saying that they have agreed to establish a "joint working group" to negotiate the future administration of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and reaffirming their commitment to ensuring vessels' safe passage through the waterway in accordance with international law.