US-Iran Talks Begin Amid Claims of Frozen Iranian Asset Release

Senior U.S. and Iranian delegations convened in Islamabad on Saturday for the highest-level engagement since 1979, but negotiations faced early uncertainty as Tehran signaled talks could not proceed without prior commitments on Lebanon and sanctions.

The six-week conflict, triggered on Feb. 28, remains only partially contained under a two-week ceasefire announced Tuesday.

Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said talks would not begin until earlier U.S. pledges were fulfilled, including unblocking assets and a ceasefire in Lebanon, where nearly 2,000 people have been killed since March. The White House has not publicly confirmed such commitments.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, leading a delegation that included Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, struck a guarded tone: “If they’re going to try to play us, then they’re going to find the negotiating team is not that receptive.”

President Donald Trump added that Iran had “no cards,” stating: “The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!”

Washington maintains Lebanon is outside the ceasefire framework, while Tehran links progress in Islamabad to developments on that front.

Parallel fighting continued, with Israeli air activity over Beirut and Hezbollah operations reported on April 11.

A central bargaining point remains the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has disrupted global shipping flows. Tehran is seeking recognition of its authority and transit control, while a senior Iranian source told Reuters that unfreezing assets held in Qatar and other banks would be “directly linked to ensuring safe passage.”

Although Iranian vessels moved freely on April 10, other ships remained constrained, contributing to what officials described as the largest disruption to global energy supplies. Inflationary pressure and economic slowdown are expected to persist even if the strait reopens.

Iran’s leadership has hardened its position following statements from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who demanded compensation for wartime damage. “We will certainly not leave unpunished the criminal aggressors,” he said.

Pakistan, hosting the talks in a city of over 2 million under lockdown with thousands of troops deployed, is mediating preliminary exchanges.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called for a “lasting and durable solution,” while Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emphasized that any framework must include regional actors.