Iranian leadership conditions future negotiations on ceasefire and asset release

On April 10, 2026, the speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, announced that two prerequisites must be met before negotiations with the U.S. can proceed: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of frozen Iranian assets. This follows recent reports of Israeli military operations in Lebanon that resulted in over 250 deaths. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the strikes as a violation of an initial ceasefire agreement, stating that the actions of the Israeli government render current negotiations meaningless. Ghalibaf emphasized that Lebanon and the 'Axis of Resistance' are integral parts of the ceasefire deal negotiated through Pakistani mediation. He warned that any breach of the agreement would trigger a strong response from Iran. The two nations are scheduled to meet for discussions in Pakistan this Saturday. Iran maintains that it will not abandon its allies in Lebanon while the hostilities continue.