Iran will not enter negotiations until key preconditions are met, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf said on Friday, insisting that a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Tehran’s blocked assets must come first.
In a post on X, Qalibaf made 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,” he wrote.
“These two matters must be fulfilled before negotiations begin,” he added, underscoring Iran’s hardened stance as diplomatic efforts gather pace.
Iran’s 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.
Iran has been unable to obtain tens of billions of dollars of its assets in foreign banks, mainly from exports of oil and gas, due to US sanctions on its banking and energy sectors.
Ghalibaf's statement comes as US Vice President JD Vance leaves for Islamabad for the peace talks on Friday. Before heading to Pakistan, Vance warned Iran not to “play” the US.
President Donald Trump has tasked the member of his inner circle who has seemed to be the most reluctant defender of the 6-week-old conflict with Iran to now find a resolution and stave off the US president's astonishing threat to wipe out its “whole civilisation.”
Vance, who has long been sceptical of foreign military interventions and outspoken about the prospect of sending troops into open-ended conflicts, set off Friday to lead mediated talks with Iran in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad. Boarding Air Force Two on his way to Pakistan, the vice president said, “We’re looking forward to the negotiations. I think it’s going to be positive. We’ll of course see.”
He cited Trump in saying, “If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we’re certainly willing to extend the open hand.” But he added, “If they’re gonna try and play us, then they’re going to find that the negotiating team is not that receptive.”
Source: India Today