Iran refuses US talks over Israel Lebanon strikes

Iran says no delegation will travel to Pakistan or enter negotiations with Washington until Israeli attacks on Lebanon stop, deepening uncertainty around fragile ceasefire arrangements

By Abdullahi Yusuf

Iran has refused to send a negotiating delegation to Pakistan or participate in peace talks with the United States until Israel halts its attacks on Lebanon, Iran’s Fars News Agency reported, citing an unnamed knowledgeable source, directly contradicting earlier reports from U.S. media outlets that an Iranian delegation had already arrived in Islamabad.

The agency said Iran has officially informed Pakistani authorities of the condition, with Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stating that any talks aimed at ending the war between Iran, the U.S. and Israel would be contingent on Washington honoring ceasefire commitments on all fronts, particularly in Lebanon.

The Wall Street Journal had earlier reported that an Iranian delegation had arrived in Islamabad to begin negotiations with Washington.

The development adds a significant new complication to diplomatic efforts linked to a two-week ceasefire announced Tuesday by the US and Iran and brokered by Pakistan.

While Pakistani mediators and Tehran said the truce also covered Lebanon, Washington and Tel Aviv denied that interpretation, and Israeli attacks on Lebanon have intensified since Wednesday.

At least 303 people have been killed and 1,150 injured in the latest wave of strikes, according to the Lebanese Civil Defense.

The expanded Israeli offensive on Lebanon since March 2 has killed 1,888 people and wounded 6,092, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.

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