Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Friday that a cease-fire in Lebanon and the release of Tehran’s blocked assets must be secured before negotiations with the United States can begin.
In a statement 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,” he added.
Separately, in a phone call with Iran’s designated ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammad Reza Raouf Sheibani, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Iran-U.S. cease-fire understanding includes Lebanon, stressing the need to halt Israeli attacks and urging Washington to uphold its commitments.
Despite the temporary truce struck between the foes, deep disagreements remain as to the way forward in negotiations aimed at transforming the fragile cease-fire into a lasting peace deal.
