Iran Says Talks With U.S. Depend on Lebanon Ceasefire and Sanctions Relief

Tehran said the planned Iranian-American talks that were due to start today in Switzerland have been postponed, and that negotiations will only continue once specific terms in a memorandum of understanding, signed electronically by the U.S. and Iranian presidents on Wednesday night, begin to be implemented.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the Swiss meeting is not urgent now because the agreement was already signed formally. He said a permanent end to the war in Lebanon, a complete lifting of the American blockade, U.S. waivers for Iranian oil exports, and the release of frozen Iranian assets must come first before talks on a lasting deal with Washington can resume.

Baghaei said Iran would take “all necessary measures” to protect its interests, security, and allies, and accused the United States of being directly responsible for Israeli strikes in Lebanon, warning of consequences for regional security. Earlier, Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah said Iran had told the group that talks with the United States could not continue without a comprehensive ceasefire.

Fadlallah urged the Lebanese government to reject any direct negotiations with Israel while the Israeli attacks continue. He also told Reuters that Washington must ensure Israel stops its attacks and implements the terms of the agreement. The latest escalation, which began last night and continued today, has left 47 people dead and about 100 injured, according to official Lebanese figures.