Iran Lays Out Conditions for US Talks as Washington Weighs Military Action

Iran has formally conveyed its terms to Washington for ending ongoing hostilities, outlining seven core conditions required to restart stalled negotiations. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's supreme national security council, detailed the requirements in an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, noting that the proposals were passed to American officials via Qatar as Tehran awaits a formal response from US President Donald Trump.

According to Rezaei, the primary stipulations demanded by Tehran include a complete cessation of military operations across all fronts, the release of frozen Iranian funds, and the lifting of the naval blockade. Rezaei asserted that accepting these terms serves Washington's best interests, while cautioning that presidential threats would fail to achieve their intended objectives and emphasizing that Iran remains fully prepared for a decisive war.

In a separate statement published on social media platform X, Rezaei reiterated that the administration in Washington must respect Iranian rights and conditions if it wishes to escape the existing quagmire and prevent deeper entanglement in the region. Alongside these diplomatic demands, Rezaei acknowledged that Tehran is actively preparing for potential military strikes from the United States, describing such an escalation as a distinct possibility.

As part of its updated defense strategy, Iran has shifted its military planning to focus heavily on American naval assets operating throughout the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea. Rezaei claimed that Iranian forces recently test-fired a multi-warhead anti-ship missile near a US vessel or aircraft carrier, while warning that any future military response from Tehran would target American bases and commercial interests across the region.

Despite preparations for potential escalation, Iranian officials maintain that diplomacy is being pursued to bring the conflict to a close as quickly as possible. Regional intermediaries, including Qatar and Pakistan, have engaged in renewed efforts to restart dialogue following the expiration of previous diplomatic memorandums of understanding.

Regarding nuclear policy, Rezaei stated that Tehran has not yet made a decision to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. However, he cautioned that the imposition of additional international sanctions or the referral of Iran's nuclear file back to the United Nations Security Council could compel the government to reconsider its position.

Diplomatic outreach has also extended to other regional actors. Rezaei noted that Tehran remains open to finalizing an agreement with Oman concerning the Strait of Hormuz, mentioning that previous discussions had advanced to within a short step of a formal accord before the process was temporarily shelved.

The diplomatic maneuvers unfold as leadership in Washington evaluates its strategic options in the region. US President Donald Trump recently told media outlets that he faces a significant decision regarding whether to reinitiate major military action against the Iranian regime, noting that multiple outcomes remain under consideration as tensions persist.