Iran Sets 2 Conditions Ahead of Negotiations
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf said Friday that two preconditions agreed with Washington must be implemented before negotiations can begin, ahead of weekend peace talks in Islamabad.In a social media post on X, Ghalibaf said, "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."The post came as the US and Iran prepare for Saturday talks aimed at addressing the Middle East conflict. Ghalibaf referred to ongoing Israeli attacks in Lebanon and the tens of billions of dollars Iran has frozen in foreign banks due to US sanctions.Hours after a ceasefire framework was agreed late Tuesday by the US and Iran, Israel launched what officials called its largest strike in the parallel war in Lebanon, killing over 300 people in densely populated areas, according to Lebanese authorities.Israeli airstrikes continued Friday across southern Lebanon, with more than a dozen additional fatalities reported in multiple towns. A strike on a government building in Nabatieh killed 13 members of Lebanon's state security forces, local media reported. Hezbollah said it responded with rocket fire into northern Israel.On Friday, US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that Iran's leverage was limited to short-term pressure tactics, arguing its position was weak in negotiations."The Iranians don't seem to realize they have no cards, other than a short-term extortion of the World by using international waterways. The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!" Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.During planned talks in Islamabad, Tehran is expected to push for major concessions, including sanctions relief and expanded recognition of its authority over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane it seeks to regulate and monetize.Iranian vessels continued moving through the strait Friday without reported disruption, while foreign commercial shipping remained largely constrained, according to maritime sources. Before the conflict, roughly 140 vessels a day transited the waterway, including oil tankers carrying up to 20 million barrels.The US is expected to focus its demands on Iran's nuclear program, which Western officials say includes stockpiles of more than 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, along with continued missile and drone capabilities.Crude benchmarks moved lower in midday trade as market participants closely monitor upcoming US-Iran negotiations, with Brent down 1.43% to $94.55 per barrel, WTI falling 1.74% to $96.17/bbl, and Murban slipping 1.56% to $98.07/bbl.