Tehran: Even as American Vice-President J D Vance is on way to Islamabad for peace talks, Iran set certain pre-conditions before the negotiations can begin.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf insisted on Friday that a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Tehran’s blocked assets must be addressed first.
Ghalibaf took to X to make it clear that talks cannot proceed without prior commitments being honoured. “Two of the measures mutually agreed upon between the parties have yet to be implemented: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s blocked assets prior to the commencement of negotiations. These two matters must be fulfilled before negotiations begin,” Ghalibaf wrote.
Confirming Iran’s hardened stance, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said the United States must adhere to its commitments, including ensuring that Lebanon is part of the ceasefire and halting Israeli attacks on the country.
According to state media, Araghchi stressed that the terms of the agreement are clear and warned that continued Israeli operations against Lebanon risk undermining the broader ceasefire framework.
It will be interesting how US President Donald Trump reacts to Iran’s demands.
His high-level delegation, led by Vance, is expected to land in Islamabad early on Saturday. It will be a huge slap on Trump’s face if Iran actually skips the meeting in Pakistan.
