Iranian Delegation Prepares for Diplomatic Talks Amid Economic Strain

An Iranian delegation is preparing for upcoming diplomatic talks. The delegation includes senior government officials and is set to negotiate amid a reported deterioration in Iran's economic conditions following a recent conflict.

Delegation Composition

The Iranian delegation is led by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament. Other key members include:

• Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian Foreign Minister, who has participated in previous negotiations concerning Iran's nuclear program.
• Abdolnaser Hemmati, the Governor of the Central Bank of Iran.

Stated Positions Ahead of Talks

In public statements, delegation head Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has expressed Iran's distrust of the United States in the context of the upcoming talks.

The Iranian side has indicated that a primary demand in the negotiations is the lifting of all economic sanctions on the country.

Recent Context and Background

• The most recent round of negotiations on Iran's nuclear program concluded two days before a conflict began on February 28.
• During the recent conflict, unconfirmed reports suggested the US administration considered Ghalibaf a potential partner.

Reported Economic Conditions

Multiple sources report that Iran's economy is currently in a worse state than before the conflict began.

Contributing factors cited include:

• Consequences of attacks on major industries, specifically steel and petrochemicals. One source attributes these attacks to the US and Israel.
• The effects of a government-imposed internet outage, which began on February 28 and has remained in place, affecting business operations.

Western sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program have been in effect for years.