Iran Sets Precondition of US Concessions Before Resuming Nuclear Talks

TEHRAN — Iran will not engage in negotiations with the United States until Washington meets a series of stringent demands, including ending regional hostilities and unfreezing Iranian assets, Major General Mohsen Rezaei stated on Sunday. Rezaei, who serves as the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, outlined the conditions required to restart diplomatic dialogue during an address in Tehran late Sunday evening.

Rezaei declared that the path to talks remains closed until the United States agrees to a comprehensive ceasefire across the Middle East and terminates what Iranian officials describe as an ongoing economic blockade. The demands also include the immediate release of billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets held abroad, which Tehran argues are essential for its economy.

"No negotiations will take place unless these conditions are met," Rezaei said, emphasizing that the current trajectory of conflict must be reversed before any diplomatic engagement can occur. His remarks signal a hardening of Iran's negotiating position and suggest that previous frameworks for dialogue are no longer viable under current circumstances.

The statement comes amid escalating tensions in the region, where military confrontations have intensified over the past year. Iranian leadership has long argued that US sanctions and support for regional adversaries constitute an act of war, necessitating a fundamental shift in American policy before peace talks can be considered. The call for a region-wide ceasefire extends beyond bilateral issues, implicating broader conflicts involving various state and non-state actors across the Middle East.

US officials have not immediately responded to Rezaei's specific demands, though Washington has previously indicated that any return to negotiations would require Iran to demonstrate a commitment to verifiable nuclear restrictions. The divergence in positions highlights the deep chasm separating the two nations' strategic objectives. While Tehran insists on security guarantees and economic relief as prerequisites, American policymakers have historically prioritized non-proliferation commitments before addressing broader geopolitical grievances.

The timing of Rezaei's announcement is significant, occurring just weeks before a scheduled international summit on regional stability. Analysts note that the rejection of immediate talks could complicate efforts by European mediators to de-escalate the situation. The Supreme National Security Council, which oversees Iran's nuclear and foreign policy, holds the authority to set these terms, making Rezaei's stance the official position of the Iranian state.

As the deadline for potential diplomatic breakthroughs approaches, it remains unclear whether Washington is prepared to adjust its strategy to meet Tehran's preconditions. The question of how a region-wide ceasefire could be enforced without direct US-Iran cooperation adds another layer of complexity to the standoff. With both sides digging in, the prospect of renewed dialogue appears distant, leaving the future of regional security uncertain.