Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf has stated that key conditions must be met before formal negotiations with the United States can begin, including a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s frozen assets abroad.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Qalibaf said that although certain agreements had been reached in principle, they have not yet been fully implemented.
“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 said.
He further emphasized that both conditions must be fulfilled before Iran proceeds to the negotiation table with Washington.
“These two matters must be fulfilled before negotiations begin,” he added.
The statement comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilize tensions following weeks of conflict between Iran and Western-backed forces. The situation escalated after the United States and Israel launched coordinated attacks on Iranian targets on February 28, according to Iranian officials, triggering a wider regional confrontation.
In response to the crisis, Pakistan, alongside Türkiye, China, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, helped broker a two-week ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran earlier this week.
The agreement was reached 40 days after hostilities began and includes a commitment by both sides to engage in direct talks aimed at achieving a more durable peace settlement.
As part of the arrangement, the United States and Iran are expected to meet in Islamabad for negotiations on a broader agreement to end the conflict and address outstanding security and political issues.
However, Iran’s latest statement highlights lingering disagreements that could complicate the diplomatic process. Tehran continues to insist on prior concessions before formal talks begin, particularly regarding regional security concerns and financial restrictions imposed on the country.
The demand for the release of blocked Iranian assets remains a key sticking point in negotiations, reflecting long-standing tensions over sanctions and financial restrictions imposed by Western powers.
Similarly, Iran’s call for a ceasefire in Lebanon underscores its broader regional concerns and alliances, as fighting in the Middle East continues to affect multiple countries and non-state actors.
Diplomatic observers say these preconditions illustrate Iran’s attempt to strengthen its negotiating position ahead of talks, while also signaling that it is unwilling to enter discussions without tangible assurances.
The outcome of these preliminary conditions is expected to play a critical role in determining whether the upcoming Islamabad talks proceed smoothly or face delays.
As international attention turns to the negotiations, analysts warn that failure to bridge these gaps could risk prolonging instability in an already volatile region.
