Iran rejects US plan to use frozen assets for Gulf war damage

Iran pushed back on a reported US plan to tap frozen Iranian assets to help Kuwait, Bahrain and other Gulf partners repair damage from the recent conflict. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said regional governments were in no position to seek reparations and argued that any US seizure, transfer or allocation of Iranian funds without Tehran's consent would amount to an internationally wrongful act. Reuters reported Friday that the US could make Iranian assets available to Gulf allies for future rebuilding and might also use them for past damage, after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent ordered an assessment of losses. During the war, Iran fired missiles and drones at several Gulf states, including strikes it said targeted US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.