Iran Refuses Talks with US, Demands End to Lebanon Bombing First
According to Iran’s state-run agencies Fars and Tasnim, a well-informed source dismissed reports claiming that an Iranian delegation had arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, for talks with US officials, calling such media reports completely false.
Tensions in the Middle East have dealt a major blow to ongoing peace efforts, as the Iran–America war narrative intensifies. Iran has made it clear that it will not participate in any negotiations with the United States unless Israel completely halts its military strikes in Lebanon. This stance has cast uncertainty over the proposed US-Iran ceasefire talks scheduled to begin in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday.
According to Iran’s state-run agencies Fars News Agency and Tasnim News Agency, a well-informed source dismissed media reports claiming that an Iranian delegation had arrived in Islamabad for talks with US officials, calling such claims “completely false.”
No Talks Until Lebanon Ceasefire
The source further emphasized that discussions will remain suspended until the United States fulfills its commitments regarding a ceasefire in Lebanon and Israel puts an end to its attacks. Quoting the source, Fars reported that Iran has “no intention of participating in peace talks with the US side in Islamabad until a ceasefire is fully implemented in Lebanon.”
Lebanon Becomes a Flashpoint in Iran-America War Tensions
The situation in Lebanon has become a critical obstacle in the broader Iran-America war tensions. On Wednesday, at least 182 people were killed after Israel intensified its strikes against the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, which has been actively involved in the conflict in support of Tehran.
Following heavy bombardment in both commercial and residential areas of Beirut, emergency rescue teams worked through the night to search for survivors trapped under debris.
Israel stated on Thursday that it had killed Ali Youssef Harshi, an associate of Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem. Hezbollah did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that ending the war in Lebanon was an essential part of any ceasefire understanding. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former US President Donald Trump stated that such a condition was not included in the agreement.
As the Iran-America war tensions escalate, the fate of the proposed ceasefire talks remains uncertain, with Lebanon emerging as a key sticking point in the path toward peace.