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Iran sets five preconditions for next round of US talks, citing lack of trust

By The South Asia Times

TEHRAN - Iran will not enter a second round of talks with the United States unless five preconditions aimed at building confidence are met, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Tuesday, citing a source familiar with the matter.

The source described the conditions as "minimum confidence-building guarantees" needed before new negotiations with Washington can begin, according to the report also cited by China's Xinhua news agency.

According to sources, the conditions include:

A cessation of hostilities on all fronts, particularly in Lebanon
The lifting of sanctions against Iran
The release of frozen Iranian assets
Compensation to Iran for war damage
Recognition of Iran's sovereign rights over the Strait of Hormuz

Sources said the demands were submitted to the United States in response to a 14-point proposal previously put forward by Washington.

The sources also said that Iran has informed Pakistan—which is mediating the talks—that the continued US naval blockade in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman after the ceasefire has further strengthened Tehran's view that negotiations with Washington are not credible.

According to sources, the conditions are solely intended to build the minimum level of trust necessary to continue dialogue.

Iran sent its response to Pakistani mediators on Sunday regarding the latest draft proposal from the US on ending the conflict.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that Tehran's proposal only aims to guarantee the "legitimate" rights of the Iranian people.

Iran and the US agreed to a ceasefire on April 8 after 40 days of fighting that began with US and Israeli attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities on February 28. Iranian and US delegations then held another round of talks in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, but failed to reach an agreement.

In recent weeks, the two sides have exchanged several draft proposals through Pakistan as part of efforts to end the conflict.

With Tehran now demanding five preconditions before any further engagement, the prospect of a second round of direct or indirect talks remains uncertain. Pakistan continues to serve as the key mediator between the two adversaries, but Iranian officials have signaled that Washington must first take concrete steps to rebuild trust before dialogue can resume.