Iran maintains its seven conditions amidst reports of potential resumption of strikes
Agencies5 min read
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Iran has maintained its seven conditions for resuming negotiations with the United States, at a time when Qatar is intensifying mediation efforts between the two parties, amid proposals for reciprocal confidence-building measures and the relaunch of direct talks.
The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said that no progress could be made in negotiations with Washington without full approval of the seven conditions set by Tehran, noting that his country continues to study a paper submitted by US Vice President J.D. Vance regarding negotiation mechanisms between the two countries.
A Qatari delegation arrived in Tehran on Friday, headed by the Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, to hold talks with senior Iranian officials regarding bilateral relations and regional developments, with discussions set to continue in Doha on Saturday, following a round of talks that lasted more than 12 hours in the Iranian capital.
The visit came following Iranian media reports that Tehran had received a message from Vance addressed to the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Mohsen Rezaee, which, according to press reports, addressed a potential framework for negotiations rather than specific conditions for reaching a peace agreement, and was sent via Qatari intermediaries.
The seven Iranian conditions include a ceasefire across the Middle East, the release of frozen Iranian assets abroad, the lifting of sanctions on the oil sector, ending the US naval blockade, paying war reparations, the withdrawal of US forces, and stopping threats and interference.
Reciprocal confidence-building measures
Within the framework of mediation efforts, Qatari mediators have urged Washington and Tehran to agree on a set of reciprocal steps to be implemented over several days, in preparation for a return to direct talks on the nuclear program and other issues.
The proposals include, according to media reports, persuading Iran to allow UN inspectors to visit bombed nuclear sites, in exchange for the United States easing some sanctions, in a move aimed at building trust between the two parties.
Qatar also put forward a seven-day plan to address the concerns of Washington and Tehran, including confidence-building steps, with the participation of US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
The most prominent obstacles to resuming negotiations are the insistence of the administration of US President Donald Trump that Iran make nuclear concessions, in exchange for Tehran's condition that the naval blockade be lifted, its frozen assets be released, and it be allowed to sell oil before returning to the negotiating table.
Potential military operation
Mediation efforts coincide with the continuation of US threats to launch new attacks on Iran, amidst reports of a possible inclination by Trump to order the execution of a military operation if the Republicans lose the midterm elections scheduled for November 3rd, in conjunction with pressure exerted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to carry out a joint operation.
A White House official was quoted as saying that the election results would not be a factor in Trump's decisions regarding Iran, while a US official said that the President might take a "bold step" if he felt embarrassed or marginalized, adding that the best chance for the Iranians to reach an agreement is now.
Countries in the region, including Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, are urging Iran to agree to resume negotiations before the midterm elections, according to media reports.
In contrast, Trump is skeptical about the possibility of Iran agreeing to a deal he views as acceptable, a position held by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while Vice President Vance and envoys Witkoff and Kushner support the resumption of negotiations.
Iranian threats to expand the scope of the war
In the context of mutual threats, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there are "no more red lines" for potential Iranian strikes, in response to comments by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding the cost Europe has incurred due to rising energy prices as a result of the war, which has reached 100 billion euros.
Araghchi considered this amount incomparable to what he described as the "earth-shattering strike" that the Iranian armed forces will deliver against anyone who dares to harm the Iranian people, noting that Merz praised the Israeli and American bombing operations on Iran when they began last year.
The Iranian army spokesman, Brigadier General Mohammad Akrami Nia, also warned the United States against any new military move against his country, threatening to expand the geographical scope of the war should it occur.
Iranian television quoted Akrami Nia as saying that the army is monitoring the movements of US forces in the region and continues to strengthen its combat readiness, adding that any new American "adventure" under Israeli pressure would not see its end controlled by Washington.
Akrami Nia accused US President Donald Trump of having a "black record of betraying the diplomatic path," as he put it.
Qatar and Pakistan are leading mediation efforts to revive peace negotiations following a ceasefire agreement concluded last April; however, these efforts have not yet led to a permanent agreement.
