By SCM REPORTER Friday, April 10, 2026
IRAN’S hardline parliament speaker has issued an explosive ultimatum to the West, warning that a fragile ceasefire could collapse unless the U.S. coughs up billions in frozen assets and halts fighting in Lebanon.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf took to social media today to draw a line in the sand, insisting that Tehran will not sit down for formal negotiations until two major “pre-conditions” are met.
The high-stakes standoff comes just days after a two-week “cooling off” period was brokered to stop the region from spiraling into total war.
The ‘Price of Peace’
Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Ghalibaf made it clear that Iran is losing patience with the Pakistan-mediated deal. He demanded:
The Cash: The immediate release of Iranian assets currently blocked by international sanctions.
The Ceasefire: A total end to military operations in Lebanon.
”These two matters must be fulfilled before negotiations begin,” Ghalibaf warned, adding an ominous note that for the “enemies” of Iran, “time is running out.”
The current two-week ceasefire was intended to provide a “breathing space” after 40 days of brutal conflict involving the U.S. and Israel. While Washington reportedly accepted a 10-point peace proposal from Tehran, the reality on the ground remains bloody.
Tehran claims that despite the agreement, Israeli forces are continuing to strike targets in both Iran and Lebanon, putting the entire diplomatic effort on a knife-edge.
The conflict, which Iran describes as “unprovoked aggression,” has pushed the Middle East to its most dangerous point in decades. Here is the context behind the current crisis:
