Iran demands a ceasefire in Lebanon and unblocking of Iranian assets for talks with US to begin
Iran has taken a tough stance ahead of talks with the US and has effectively set conditions for their commencement, writes The Moscow Times.
Tehran demands that a ceasefire in Lebanon be established and Iranian assets abroad, held under sanctions, be unblocked before dialogue begins. If the Israeli military operation in Lebanon continues, Iran threatens to refuse negotiations altogether.
The talks are scheduled for April 11 in Pakistan, which is acting as a mediator. However, it is already clear that the parties have different understandings of the terms of the recent truce. The US and Iran agreed to cease mutual strikes for two weeks, but Iran believes this should also extend to Lebanon. In turn, the US asserts that Lebanon was not included in these agreements.
Therefore, Israel, which joined the truce, continues its operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon. This causes dissatisfaction in Iran, which considers such actions a violation of the general logic of the agreements.
An additional source of tension has been the situation around the Strait of Hormuz. The US accuses Iran of demanding payment from oil tankers for passage, which contradicts agreements and creates risks for the global oil market. Iran, in turn, uses this as a tool for pressure.
The rhetoric of both sides remains very harsh. The American side openly criticizes Iran and accuses it of blackmail, while Iranian authorities warn of a possible response in case of further strikes on Lebanon.
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