Iran Sets Preconditions as Islamabad Talks Near
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Iran parliament speaker Ghalibaf arrived Islamabad; says Lebanon ceasefire and frozen asset release must precede talks
Sources: Al Jazeera, Middle East Eye, BBC, SCMP (China-aligned), The Hindu (India)
Iranian Supreme Leader: "We did not seek war and do not want it"
Sources: Al Jazeera, Middle East Eye, BBC, SCMP (China-aligned), The Hindu (India)
Trump: "Iranians only alive to negotiate," have no cards beyond "short-term extortion" with Hormuz
Sources: Al Jazeera, Middle East Eye, BBC, SCMP (China-aligned), The Hindu (India)
JD Vance departed for Pakistan; expects "positive" talks but warns Iran not to "play" US
Sources: Al Jazeera, Middle East Eye, BBC, SCMP (China-aligned), The Hindu (India)
23:19 Iranian delegation arrived Islamabad Friday evening; IRGC commander and FM Araghchi reportedly clashed over negotiating approach
Sources: Al Jazeera, Reuters, SCMP, TASS, The Hindu
23:19 Trump: "Iranians only alive to negotiate," reasserts Hormuz must open "fairly soon"
Sources: Al Jazeera, Reuters, SCMP, TASS, The Hindu
23:45 VP Vance departs for Pakistan; JPost reports US team has "low expectations"
Sources: Al Jazeera, Reuters, JPost, SCMP, RT
Narrative Divergence
Western sources frame Iran as obstructing talks with impossible preconditions; Iran-aligned sources frame US as making demands that are impossible to meet, framing Iran as reasonable party seeking de-escalation. SCMP reports widespread fear among ordinary Iranians of war resuming. JPost reports US side has 'low expectations' for outcome.