Iran is demanding concessions

Tehran, Iran (dpa) — Iran will only sign a framework agreement with the U.S. once concrete concessions — including the release of billions in frozen accounts — have been secured, according to its chief negotiator.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf reiterated during an online parliamentary session on Sunday that Tehran would not accept any agreement until there was certainty that the rights of the Iranian people were safeguarded, the state news agency IRNA reported.

“We trust neither guarantees nor words – only actions count. No measures will be taken until the other side acts,” Ghalibaf stated on Friday on X.

Iran is demanding concession

For days, the U.S. and Iran have been wrangling over a framework agreement to extend the ceasefire in place since April 8 and to allow for further negotiations.

The Fars news agency, which is close to the country’s powerful Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), reported that immediately after the signing of a provisional agreement, $12 billion in frozen Iranian foreign accounts would have to be released.

Ghalibaf, who on Sunday was sworn in as Iran’s reelected speaker, called on members of the 290-seat unicameral parliament to promote national unity, urging them to steer clear of “trivial political disputes.”

“In this new phase of the war, the enemy is attempting to foment divisions and destroy the country’s unity through economic pressure and media smear campaigns, in order to cover up its military defeat and force us to surrender,” said Ghalibaf.