Tehran Rejects Premature Talks as Negotiators Struggle Over Framework for Durable Peace

Saeed Khatibzadeh warns that Iran will not set a date for new talks with the US until a framework of understanding is finalized, seeking to avoid a diplomatic failure.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 18, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from AFP and the Associated Press

Conditionality Over Scheduling

The prospect of a swift diplomatic resolution to the seven-week conflict between the U.S.-Israeli coalition and Iran faced a significant setback on Saturday. Speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh clarified that despite public optimism from President Donald Trump, no official date has been agreed upon for a follow-up to last weekend’s Islamabad summit. Khatibzadeh stated that "until we agree on the framework, we cannot set the date," indicating that the "relevant authorities" in Tehran are prioritizing the substance of the agreement over the optics of high-level meetings.

Avoiding the "Pretext for Escalation"

A primary concern for the Iranian delegation is the risk of a high-profile diplomatic collapse. Khatibzadeh explained that Tehran is currently focused on "finalizing the framework of understanding" to ensure that any future meeting yields tangible results. The deputy minister warned that entering negotiations without a pre-negotiated foundation could lead to a public failure, which might then be used by hardliners in Washington or Tel Aviv as a "pretext for another round of escalation." This cautious approach suggests that the Iranian leadership is wary of a "transactional" deal that addresses U.S. nuclear concerns without providing ironclad guarantees regarding the lifting of the naval blockade.

The "Framework" Stumbling Block

The current impasse centers on the fundamental structure of the peace deal. While the United States, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Trump, has pushed for a 20-year suspension of all Iranian nuclear activity and the physical removal of enriched uranium, Iran has countered with a proposal for a three-to-five-year halt and the retention of its material for civilian purposes. Khatibzadeh’s comments in Antalya underscore that these "gaps" remain unresolved. For Tehran, any framework must also address the immediate lifting of the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, which they characterize as an illegal "siege."