Iran Sets Seven Conditions Before Deciding On US Talks; JD Vance Weighs Direct Negotiations With Tehran

November 12, 2026

Tehran: Iran will not agree to any negotiation terms and topics with the US unless seven conditions are met, Head of the Basij Organisation Hossein Taeb said on Thursday.

“We do not care about deadlines they have set. The most important thing is to meet our conditions and then we can determine the terms and topics. We will only negotiate once we have met our conditions,” he told a ceremony in Tehran to honour members of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force.

“The Americans initially spoke of a seven-day deadline and then reduced it to two days, but it makes no difference to us. The main issue is the fulfilment of the conditions set by the Islamic Republic of Iran. After that, Iran will decide on the manner and subjects of negotiations.” Then we can decide how we negotiate and what we discuss, he added.

Iran says military conflicts have shifted US views

Taeb said the 12 and 40 day military conflicts with the US and Israel had had a major impact on the opposition’s view of Iranian military capability.

“This has had an impact because of the developments that have happened during these two military conflicts. They Have Changed their previous calculations on our military might,” he said.

Taeb added that the Strait of Hormuz was an important element in the new balance of power. In response the opposition had threatened to impose a blockade.

“At this point the most important thing is whether we can endure this conflict. This will be a major factor in whether we can endure and continue,” he added, according to IRNA.

JD Vance considering direct talks with top Iranian official

Despite the tough stance from Iran, United States Vice President JD Vance is considering direct talks with a top Iranian security official as the Trump administration seeks to diplomatically resolve the conflict.

A report in The Wall Street Journal said on Wednesday that President Donald Trump had given Vance permission to spearhead new diplomatic efforts, indicating he is willing to resume talks with Iran.

While the talks are still in early stages, there has been continuing dialogue between Washington and Iran via regional partners.

Vance wrote to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary-General Mohsen Rezaei in October requesting a meeting but Rezaei said on Tuesday that no talks had been arranged.

Vance takes leading role as Witkoff and Kushner sidelined

The diplomatic move has seen Vance take centre stage in the administration’s approach to Tehran with US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner taking a back seat, according to The Wall Street Journal, citing American sources.

The move also means Vance stands to gain politically if a deal can be reached. If a deal fails, he could face criticism from within.

Vance has previously said the war has been a blow to the Republican Party in last week’s midterms.

However, this contrasts with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and War Secretary Pete Hegseth who have backed Trump’s military approach.

Trump reportedly unhappy with the previous deal

The report said Trump had privately voiced his unhappiness with a Memorandum of Understanding reached in June which Vance had helped broker.

Two US officials told the newspaper that Trump saw the deal as a strategic error as it had allowed Iran to rebuild its capabilities and make money from exporting oil.

A White House spokesperson denied suggestions Trump was sorry about the previous talks saying they had been conducted with total integrity.

There are reportedly disagreements within the administration. Rubio and White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller want the naval blockade to continue until Iran agrees to American demands, officials said.

US-Israel attacks kick off wider conflict

The diplomatic attempts come after a wider conflict erupted on February 28 after joint military action from the US and Israel.

A ceasefire was agreed in April with a framework deal signed in June. However, diplomacy has hit a snag and a full deal has not been reached.

With Vance leading the reported diplomatic attempt to resume talks, there has been a new development with the possibility of direct talks. However, it remains to be seen if Iran’s leadership will agree to talks with the US VP.