Iran is standing by its seven conditions for resuming negotiations with the United States as Qatar intensifies mediation efforts between the two sides, amid proposals for reciprocal confidence-building measures aimed at restarting direct talks.
اضافة اعلان
Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said no progress could be made in negotiations with Washington without full agreement on the seven conditions set by Tehran. He added that Iran is continuing to study a proposal submitted by U.S. Vice President JD Vance concerning mechanisms for negotiations between the two countries.
A Qatari delegation arrived in Tehran on Friday, led by the first adviser to the prime minister and foreign minister, for talks with senior Iranian officials on bilateral relations and regional developments. Discussions are scheduled to continue in Doha on Saturday after more than 12 hours of talks in the Iranian capital.
The visit followed Iranian media reports that Tehran had received a message from Vance addressed to Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei. According to media reports, the message outlined a possible framework for negotiations rather than specific conditions for reaching a peace agreement, and was delivered through Qatari mediators.
Iran’s seven conditions include a ceasefire across the Middle East, the release of frozen Iranian assets abroad, the lifting of sanctions on the oil sector, an end to the U.S. naval blockade, payment of war compensation, the withdrawal of U.S. forces, and an end to threats and interference.
Reciprocal Confidence-Building Measures
As part of mediation efforts, Qatari mediators have urged Washington and Tehran to agree on a series of reciprocal measures to be implemented over several days, paving the way for a return to direct talks on Iran’s nuclear program and other issues.
According to media reports, the proposals include persuading Iran to allow United Nations inspectors to visit nuclear sites that were targeted in airstrikes, in exchange for the United States easing some sanctions as a confidence-building step.
Qatar has also proposed a seven-day plan to address the concerns of Washington and Tehran, including confidence-building measures involving U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
The main obstacles to resuming negotiations include the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump insisting that Iran make nuclear concessions, while Tehran is demanding that Washington lift the naval blockade, release frozen Iranian assets and allow Iran to sell oil before returning to negotiations.
Possible Military Operation
The mediation efforts come amid continued U.S. threats to launch new attacks on Iran, with reports suggesting that Trump may consider ordering a military operation if Republicans lose the midterm elections scheduled for November 3. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also reportedly pressuring Washington to carry out a joint operation.
A White House official was quoted as saying that the election results would not influence Trump’s decisions regarding Iran. A U.S. official, meanwhile, said the president could take a “bold step” if he felt embarrassed or sidelined, adding that the best opportunity for the Iranians to reach an agreement is now.
Regional countries, including Egypt, Türkiye, Iraq, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, are urging Iran to agree to resume negotiations before the midterm elections, according to media reports.
Trump, however, has expressed doubts that Iran would accept an agreement he considers acceptable. This position is shared by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while Vice President Vance and envoys Witkoff and Kushner support restarting negotiations.
Iranian Threats to Expand the War
Amid the exchange of threats, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there are “no more red lines” regarding potential Iranian strikes, responding to remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about the €100 billion cost Europe has incurred from higher energy prices as a result of the war.
Araghchi said that amount paled in comparison with what he described as a “devastating blow” that the Iranian armed forces would deliver against anyone who dared harm the Iranian people. He also said Merz had praised Israeli and U.S. bombardments of Iran when they began last year.
Iranian Army spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Akrami-Nia also warned the United States against any new military action against Iran, threatening to expand the geographical scope of the war if such an attack occurs.
Iranian television quoted Akrami-Nia as saying that the army is monitoring the movements of U.S. forces in the region and continuing to strengthen its combat readiness. He added that any new U.S. “adventure” under Israeli pressure would not end on Washington’s terms.
Akrami-Nia accused U.S. President Donald Trump of having a “black record of betraying the diplomatic process,” as he put it.
Qatar and Pakistan are leading mediation efforts to revive peace talks following a ceasefire agreement reached last April. However, those efforts have so far failed to produce a lasting agreement.
