Iran sets seven conditions for resuming talks with US

TEHRAN, Oct 26: Iran has insisted that the United States must fulfil seven conditions before Tehran will consider resuming negotiations, warning that Washington must demonstrate its commitment to diplomacy rather than seek a temporary agreement.

Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, made the remarks in an interview with Iranian state television on Monday, as senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey held talks with Iranian leaders in Tehran amid efforts to ease regional tensions.

Bagheri Kani said Iran would consider entering a new phase of negotiations only after Washington met the conditions set by Tehran.

He also expressed concern that the United States might seek a short-term agreement to claim a political victory ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, before resuming military action or increasing pressure on Iran.

Discussing the proposed implementation timeline, Bagheri Kani said some countries had questioned whether the original seven-day period was necessary and suggested reducing it.

He referred to comments by Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, who said Tehran could accept a shorter period of five or even four days if the dispute concerned the number of days required.

However, Bagheri Kani stressed that shortening the timeline would not change Iran’s central demand.

“The important point is that these seven conditions must be fulfilled,” he said, reiterating that Tehran would decide its next steps only after the conditions had been met.

Previous reporting has identified several of Iran’s demands, including an end to hostilities, the release of frozen Iranian assets, the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports, an end to attacks on Iranian territory and a commitment by Washington not to interfere in Iran’s internal affairs. The complete list of seven conditions has not been publicly detailed in the reports reviewed.

The latest statements come as Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin engage with Iranian officials in Tehran. The meeting is part of broader regional diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and explore ways to prevent a renewed escalation of the conflict.

Pakistan has played a key intermediary role between Washington and Tehran, while Qatar has also supported mediation efforts. Earlier attempts to establish an agreement have faced difficulties, with disagreements over security arrangements and the Strait of Hormuz remaining central to the standoff