Iran firm on Hormuz reopening, Lebanon ceasefire as delayed US talks begin in Pak

Iran has set key preconditions for direct talks with the US, including the release of frozen assets, safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz, reparations, and a regional ceasefire. Amid these demands, the White House has maintained a hardline stance, with Donald Trump refusing to concede, including on the issue of unfreezing overseas assets.

In Short

• Iran demands release of frozen assets ahead of talks
• Iran sets Israeli ceasefire in Lebanon as precondition for US talks
• Pak officials hold separate talks with US and Iran

Ceasefire efforts between the US and Iran in Pakistan hit headwinds. A wall of distrust has already risen between the US and Iran, casting a shadow over ceasefire efforts in Pakistan even before talks could begin.

Despite five hours having passed since landing, the US delegation -- led by Vice President JD Vance and Jared Kushner -- had not held direct talks with Iran, with a three-way meeting involving host country Pakistan now underway.

In the hours leading up to the talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a conversation with his German counterpart, said Tehran was entering the negotiations without trust, further complicating efforts to end the six-week war.

Before the trilateral talks, Iran had said it would only enter into talks with the US and Pakistan only after certain preconditions were met, Al Jazeera reported.

So, what are those preconditions? As of now, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has already met US Vice President JD Vance. If reports are to be believed, Pakistani officials are meeting US delegates directly, while separately engaging with Iranian delegates, including Tehran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Araghchi.

These include the cessation of Israeli strikes on Lebanon and a ceasefire there. According to Iran’s Press TV, the Iranian delegation is in touch with Hezbollah to make necessary decisions regarding talks with the US. However, even as US-Iran ceasefire talks were delayed, attacks in southern Lebanon continued, with at least 10 people reported killed in Israeli airstrikes.

Amid the talks, Tehran has warned that continued Israeli attacks could derail negotiations, with discussions now conditional on no strikes on Beirut -- particularly its southern suburbs -- Press TV cited an Iranian official as saying.

Another key precondition conveyed to the US delegation via Sharif is the release of frozen Iranian assets held in Qatar and other foreign banks, according to Iranian media.

The other red lines from Iran's side include pointers from its ceasefire plan, including the Strait of Hormuz, payment of war reparations, and a ceasefire across the Middle East region, an Iran state TV reporter said.

Amid all this, the White House has maintained a hardline stance, saying Donald Trump’s position remains unchanged and that he will not budge on Tehran’s red lines, including the unfreezing of its overseas assets.

As the three sides navigate complex diplomatic contours, a significant trust deficit between the US and Iran remains a major hurdle. Both sides have entered talks despite not seeing eye to eye on Tehran’s red lines, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding any potential breakthrough.

This situation has been further complicated by the US President's statement that if negotiations fail, he will strengthen the US's naval forces in the region and address the issue through military means.

Amid these conditions, teams in Islamabad are finalising the specifics of the discussions. A key demand from Iran concerns the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, where Israeli attacks are ongoing.

Another significant matter involves the release of Iranian funds frozen since 1979. Reports suggest the US may consider agreeing to unfreeze some of these billions of dollars.

The presence of the US Vice President in the talks is also noteworthy. JD Vance is regarded as a relatively impartial figure who has expressed opposition to foreign military engagements for some time.

Vance did not play a prominent role during the initial US strikes on Iran, which adds to his perception as a more neutral participant in the current discussions.

All in all, even as talks finally get underway, reports of US naval movements in the Strait of Hormuz, Donald Trump calling Iran a “failing nation,” and fresh missile alerts across Israel underscore the volatility, leaving the outcome of the trilateral meeting anybody’s guess.

- Ends