'Iran Has Emerged Victorious In War': Mojtaba Khamenei's Aide Has A 'Test Of Trust' For Trump

As a ceasefire between the United States and Iran hangs by a thread, a senior Iranian official says this is the first time Tehran has “emerged victorious” in a war as he presented U.S. President Donald Trump with what he described as a “test of trust”.

The remarks come as peace negotiations between the two countries remain stalled, as key issues — the release of frozen Iranian assets, enriched uranium, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz — continue to be major sticking points.

“This is the first time Iran has emerged victorious in wars, while in previous wars Iran has always been defeated,” Mohsen Rezaei, a military adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, told CNN.

A ‘Trust Test’ For Trump

According to reports, Tehran has been pressing for the

release of USD 12 billion in blocked funds once the two sides reach an interim deal, and another USD 12 billion in a second phase.

Rezaei said the release of Iranian assets by the Trump administration would prove America’s readiness to reach a peace deal, adding this is a test the U.S. “must pass”.

“If Trump takes the negotiations seriously, $24 billion is not much to America. If he wants to reach an agreement with Iran, this $24 billion is a test of trust that Iran wants to have with Trump. This is a test that America must pass, and the path will be open. This is our money, not America’s money”, he said.

Rezaei warned any renewed confrontation with the U.S. would expand well beyond Persian Gulf. “We will give another dimension to the war by attacking these other American bases that we have been attacking so far,” he told CNN. 

Although he acknowledged that the “possibility of war was low”, he issued a stark warning, stating that Iran was prepared if talks failed and the U.S. targeted the country again.

“Then the world will understand Iran’s true capabilities, because our land power is many times greater than our missiles,” Rezaei said.

On Mojtaba-Trump Meeting

Days after U.S. President Trump said he would be “honoured” to meet Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei”, Rezaei outright rejected the possibility of a meeting between the two leaders.

“This will not happen, right now we are in the first stage of negotiations and Trump has brought the negotiations to a standstill. This will not happen,” he said, according to CNN. 

He also raised concerns over a potential nuclear deal with U.S., as he highlighted the Washington’s withdrawal from the 2015 agreement — signed under the Barack Obama’s presidency — and an “ambiguous” approach to peace talks.