Iran Warns Deal Hinges on ‘America First’ as Islamabad Talks Enter Second Day

ISLAMABAD — Iran’s top negotiators have laid down a stark marker as high-stakes talks with the United States enter their second day: a deal is possible only if Washington’s envoys put American interests first, not those of Israel. The warning, delivered publicly by Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, captures the deep suspicion that continues to shadow the highest-level direct negotiations between the two nations in nearly five decades.

“If we negotiate in Islamabad with representatives of 'America First,' an agreement beneficial to both sides and the world is probable,” Mr. Aref wrote on X on Saturday.

“However, if we face representatives of 'Israel First,' there will be no deal.”

Mohammad Reza Aref

The message was a sharp rejoinder to the presence of Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff in the U.S. delegation, individuals Tehran views as having strong ties to Israeli interests.

Image credits: Press TV

The talks, mediated by Pakistan, began on Saturday afternoon after a two-week ceasefire was brokered earlier in the week, halting a 40-day war that began with a joint U.S.-Israeli offensive on Feb. 28. Vice President JD Vance leads the American team, while Iran’s delegation is headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Islamabad Talks May Enter Final Push for Framework

The negotiations have moved beyond political posturing. After initial face-to-face sessions on Saturday, the talks entered an expert-level phase on the same day, with specialized committees covering economic, military, legal, and nuclear issues joining the discussions, according to a statement from Iran's government. The White House confirmed the format as "trilateral and face-to-face," a departure from recent practice where both sides held talks via a mediator while seated in separate rooms. The discussions took place at Islamabad's Serena Hotel under tight security, with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir present at the venue.

The two sides completed two rounds of in-person discussions on Saturday before shifting to the exchange of written texts. A third round is scheduled for Sunday, April 12, with Iranian media describing it as a potential final attempt to secure agreement on Iran's 10-point proposal. Prior to the third round, the two sides have exchanged written texts aimed at arriving at a framework and ensuring no ambiguity in draft proposals.

Iranian media reports that significant differences remain between the two sides, with US negotiators accused of making "excessive demands" regarding the Strait of Hormuz and several other issues. The structured, multi-layered format suggests both delegations are preparing for detailed bargaining rather than a quick handshake, even as gaps persist.

Iran’s Bottom Line: The 10-Point Proposal

At the heart of Tehran’s position is a 10-point plan that the country’s Supreme National Security Council says Washington has been forced to accept. The proposal demands a comprehensive end to hostilities, including a permanent ceasefire that explicitly covers Lebanon, where Israeli strikes on Hezbollah have continued despite the temporary truce. It also calls for the lifting of sanctions, recognition of Iran’s right to enrich uranium, compensation for war damages, the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from the region, and Iran’s continued control over the Strait of Hormuz, including the right to impose transit fees.

Aref’s comment was echoed by President Masoud Pezeshkian, who said on Saturday that the Iranian delegation is “bravely” negotiating to defend national interests, and that “whatever the outcome, the government will stand by the people.”

The Pre-Condition Fight: Assets and Lebanon

Before the Islamabad Talks began, Iran’s lead negotiator, Ghalibaf, stated that two key Iranian demands had not yet been met: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s frozen assets held in foreign banks.

A senior Iranian source told Reuters on Saturday that the U.S. had agreed to release the assets, reportedly around $6 billion held in Qatar, as a sign of “seriousness.” The source said the release was “directly linked to ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.” However, a U.S. official swiftly denied the claim, calling it false and noting the talks hadn’t even begun at the time of the reports.

Iranian officials have repeatedly stressed that their historical experience with the U.S. is one of “deceit and broken promises.” Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said this pattern has fundamentally shifted the dynamics of the current talks. “Iran is fully prepared for all scenarios,” he said.

‘No Hurry’ on the Strait of Hormuz

A critical point of leverage for Iran is the Strait of Hormuz, the vital chokepoint through which about a fifth of the world’s oil passes. Tehran has effectively blockaded the strait since the war began, and an Iranian security source told CNN that the status quo will remain unchanged until a “common framework” is reached with the U.S.

“Iran is in no hurry,” the source said, adding that even the limited number of ships previously agreed upon will not be allowed to pass until the U.S. adopts a “realistic outlook.” The source warned that any miscalculation by Washington would be “to America’s detriment.”

On Saturday, President Trump claimed on Truth Social that U.S. forces had begun “clearing out” the strait, and that all 28 of Iran’s “mine dropper boats” had been sunk. Reports also emerged of U.S. Navy warships transiting the strait for the first time since the war began, though Iranian state TV quickly denied the claim. The standoff at sea underscores the high stakes of the diplomatic gamble in Islamabad.

The Path Forward

The Islamabad Talks are expected to continue for several days. While the atmosphere is cautious, the mere fact of direct engagement is a significant diplomatic achievement. However, the road ahead is littered with obstacles. Iran’s leadership has framed the negotiations as a test of America’s true intentions. As Aref put it, if Washington fails to abandon its “Israel First” posture, Tehran will have no choice but to continue its defense “even more vigorously than before, and the world will face greater costs.”