Tehran

Uncertainty continues to cloud the possibility of talks between Iran and the United States aimed at resolving the ongoing West Asia conflict, as Tehran has reiterated that certain preconditions must be met before any negotiations can begin.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated in a post on X that two previously agreed conditions remain unfulfilled. He emphasised that a ceasefire in Lebanon and the unfreezing of Iran’s blocked assets are essential prerequisites for initiating dialogue, expected to take place in Islamabad.

Ghalibaf asserted that progress on these two issues is necessary before formal negotiations can move forward.

The situation unfolds against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire understanding between Washington and Tehran. Iran maintains that the truce includes a halt to Israeli military actions in Lebanon. However, both the United States and Israel have clarified that their operations against Hezbollah are not covered under the agreement, adding to tensions and complicating diplomatic efforts.

Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance departed earlier in the day for Islamabad, where he is set to lead the American delegation for upcoming talks. Speaking to reporters before his departure, Vance expressed cautious optimism, stating that the US is open to meaningful discussions if Iran approaches the process with sincerity.

He also warned that any attempt by Tehran to act in bad faith would be met with a firm response from the US negotiating team.

The American delegation is expected to include US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former President Donald Trump, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The first round of discussions is scheduled for Saturday morning, local time.

The planned talks aim to find a comprehensive resolution to the conflict, which has been ongoing for over a month, and follow a temporary two-week ceasefire agreement between the two sides.

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According to Iranian state media, the country’s delegation is likely to be led by Ghalibaf, who has played a key strategic role during the conflict. However, Tehran has not officially confirmed whether senior officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, have travelled to Pakistan for the negotiations.