10.04.2026 20:07
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf announced two conditions that Tehran considers its "red lines" ahead of critical negotiations to be held in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. Qalibaf stated, "A ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran's blocked assets must be fulfilled before the negotiations begin."
The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Baqir Qalibaf, announced the conditions for participation in the talks planned to be held tomorrow in Islamabad with the United States in a message shared on his social media account.
TWO CONDITIONS SET
Qalibaf stated that the two conditions mutually agreed upon for the initiation of talks between the parties have not yet been fulfilled, saying, "A ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran's blocked assets must be fulfilled before the negotiations begin. These two issues must be addressed before the negotiations commence."
US DELEGATION MADE A STATEMENT AS THEY SET OUT
After a ceasefire was reached between the US and Israel, Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, will host negotiations between the Washington and Tehran administrations.
As the world focuses on these talks, the US delegation has set out for Pakistan. While boarding the plane, US Vice President J.D. Vance made a statement, saying, "We are looking forward to the talks. I believe it will go positively. If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith and are open to compromise, that would be a different situation. However, if they try to stall us, they will see that our negotiation team will not respond favorably. The President has given us very clear instructions; we will see how the process unfolds."
RED ALERT IN ISLAMABAD
As Israel intensifies its attacks on Lebanon, Iran's insistence on including Lebanon in the ceasefire continues, while silence prevails in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, ahead of the talks scheduled for tomorrow. Following the temporary ceasefire achieved on April 8 after the war that began with the US-Israel attacks on Iran on February 28, security measures have been increased in Islamabad where the negotiations will take place. In preparation for the US-Iran peace talks, more than 10,000 police and security personnel have been deployed to ensure the safety of visiting delegations, and a "red alert" status has been declared in the capital. Pakistani officials, who began to increase security measures yesterday, closed the Old Airport Road and all routes leading to Nur Khan Air Base by placing containers and barbed wire.
US AND ISRAEL - IRAN WAR
The US and Israel began their attacks on Iran targeting the country's military and nuclear infrastructure on February 28, during which Iran's religious leader Ali Khamenei was killed. The Tehran administration responded by effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world's oil and natural gas passes, to the attacks that resulted in the deaths of at least 3,000 people in Iran. This decision by Iran also caused energy prices to soar and disrupted global trade. The US and Iran had agreed to a two-week ceasefire on April 8 with the mediation of Pakistan. The ceasefire is expected to end on April 22.
WHAT'S ON THE TABLE?
Pakistan, which was the first to recognize Iran's independence in 1947, plays a significant role in the US-Iran ceasefire. Therefore, the parties agreed to hold the talks in Islamabad. The discussions are expected to address Washington's 15-point proposal focusing on Iran's enriched uranium and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, as well as Iran's 10-point plan demanding control of the strait, transit fees for ships passing through the strait, the cessation of all regional military operations, and the lifting of all sanctions.
One of the key points of the negotiations is Lebanon. Israel's continued attacks targeting Hezbollah after the ceasefire came into effect have influenced whether the negotiations will take place. Considering Iran's insistence that the ceasefire includes Lebanon and its declaration that it will not participate in the talks unless a ceasefire is established in Lebanon, Lebanon will also be one of the topics on the table in the talks scheduled for tomorrow.
WHO ARE THE NEGOTIATORS?
It is expected that the Iranian delegation will be led by Speaker Mohammad Baqir Qalibaf, accompanied by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The US is expected to be represented by US Vice President James David Vance. In addition to Vance, the US delegation will also include US Special Representative for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.