Trump denies $300m payment to Iran

President Trump on Monday sought to cast doubt on Iran getting $300 billion in reconstruction funding as part of a peace agreement with the U.S. if the Middle East country upholds its obligations.

“Iran has agreed to never have a Nuclear Weapon! Also, the story that the U.S. is paying Iran 300 million Dollars is Fake News, put out by the Dumocrats!!!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, concluding the post with “President DJT.”
The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.

Trump’s rebuke comes after a U.S. official told reporters earlier Monday, “We discussed the possibility of releasing frozen funds, sanctions relief, you know, a big $300 billion fund to rebuild their country, and all of these things are going to be tied to performance.”

Vice President Vance appeared to confirm the possibility in an interview with CBS News on Monday morning. When asked about the potential $300 billion to rebuild Iran, the vice president said, “that’s the sort of thing they could have access to, funded by the Gulf Coast Coalition, so long as they honor their end of the obligation.”

Vance is likely referring to the Gulf Cooperation Council, which consists of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Aram Emirates.

The New York Times previously reported the agreement included a provision for a $300 billion reconstruction investment fund for Iran, citing information from an Iranian official and a diplomat.

But senior U.S. officials also told reporters Monday that the memorandum of understanding (MOU), signed digitally over the weekend, is only the first step and that “real technical discussions” will begin later this week and be led by Vance.
Before the MOU was signed over the weekend, the vice president said Tehran would not be “receiving any cash” under the agreement with the U.S.

“First, the Iranians are not receiving any cash, and no funds are being released for simply signing a deal or attending a meeting,” Vance wrote on the social platform X. “The deal is structured to ensure that the US and its allies concerns are prioritized, and that if the Islamic Republic of Iran meets its obligations, then economic benefits will flow to them and to the entire region.”