Iranian parliament speaker says no talks until Lebanon ceasefire and assets released

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament, said Iran will not engage in peace negotiations with the US until Israeli strikes on Lebanon are halted and the country's "blocked assets" are released. 

Ghalibaf made the announcement via a post on X, following a previous statement on Thursday in which he said that "Lebanon and the entire Resistance Axis, as Iran's allies, form an inseparable part of the ceasefire". 

Israel launched a wave of attacks on Lebanon on Wednesday, killing over 300 people and injuring over 1,100 others.

Ghalibaf was due to head the Iranian delegation at peace talks with the US in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday, alongside Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. 

Two of the measures mutually agreed upon between the parties have yet to be implemented: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s blocked assets prior to the commencement of negotiations.

These two matters must be fulfilled before negotiations begin.

— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 10, 2026