US-Iran Ceasefire on Shaky Ground from Day One ... Dispute Over Iran's 10 Demands

First Ceasefire Talks Scheduled for the 11th (Local Time)

Vice President JD Vance to Lead Negotiating Team

Israel Attacks Hezbollah After Ceasefire Agreement

White House: "Iran's 10 Demands Are Not True"

Iranian Parliamentary S

Caroline Levitt, White House Press Secretary, held a briefing in front of reporters last month. New York, USA – Photo by Yoonju Hwang, AP Yonhap News Agency

The United States and Iran are set to hold their first ceasefire talks on April 11 (local time) in Islamabad, Pakistan, but the process appears precarious from the outset. On the very first day of the ceasefire, Iran raised the possibility of re-blockading the Strait of Hormuz in protest against Israel’s attacks on Iran-backed militant groups in Lebanon. In particular, a dispute has emerged over ten demands put forward by Iran, with both sides contesting their authenticity.

Caroline Levitt, the White House Press Secretary, stated during a briefing on April 8, “A negotiation team led by Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner will be dispatched to the talks in Islamabad this weekend. The first session is scheduled for Saturday morning (April 11, local time), and we are looking forward to an in-person meeting.”

During the period when Special Envoy Witkoff and Kushner are leading the negotiations, Iran has conveyed, through mediators, its deep distrust of the United States, citing ongoing attacks by the U.S. and Israel against Iran. Vice President Vance is known as the most vocal opponent of this war and is believed to have coordinated the ceasefire negotiations behind the scenes.

Press Secretary Levitt said, “Vice President Vance has played a very important and central role in this process (the ceasefire agreement) from the beginning. He has participated in all discussions and will lead the new round of negotiations taking place this weekend in Islamabad.”

"Iran’s 10 Demands Are False"…The Uranium Enrichment Issue

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament's Social Networking Service (SNS)

Although the date for the first ceasefire talks has been set, the negotiation process is expected to be difficult. This is because sharp exchanges have already erupted between the U.S. and Iran over the ten provisions to be discussed at the meeting.

The ten provisions, revealed through outlets such as Al Jazeera, are as follows: ▲Mutual non-aggression guarantees ▲Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz ▲Recognition of Iran’s right to enrich uranium ▲Lifting of all primary sanctions ▲Lifting of all secondary sanctions ▲Termination of all UN Security Council resolutions ▲Termination of all IAEA Board of Governors resolutions ▲War reparations ▲Complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from the region ▲Ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon (Hezbollah).

Following the release of the ten demands, skepticism has dominated U.S. circles. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that most of Iran’s demands are considered unacceptable by the United States and Israel. Axios also reported that hardliners within the Republican Party are concerned about what might be conceded in any agreement with Iran.

Senator Lindsey Graham (Republican—South Carolina) wrote on social media, “In my view, there are several concerning points in the so-called negotiation document, but time will tell. I expect Vice President Vance and the other drafters of this proposal to appear before Congress and explain how our national security objectives regarding Iran can be achieved through these negotiations.”

In response, Press Secretary Levitt countered, “The ten provisions initially presented by Iran were fundamentally insincere, unacceptable, and have been completely discarded.” She added, “As President Trump’s ultimatum deadline approached and U.S. forces attacked Iran on an hourly basis, the Iranian regime acknowledged reality and presented the negotiation team with a completely different, condensed, and reasonable plan.”

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Our deep historical distrust of the United States arises from its repeated breaches of promises,” and pointed out, “So far, three of these provisions have already been violated.”

Speaker Ghalibaf stated that the U.S. had already violated the provisions regarding ▲an immediate ceasefire on all fronts including Lebanon and other regions ▲drones intruding into Iranian airspace ▲denial of Iran’s right to enrich uranium.

The previous day, President Trump announced on Truth Social, his social media platform, “We have received a proposal of ten provisions from Iran, and I believe this will serve as a substantial foundation for negotiations.”

Israel Strikes Hezbollah in Lebanon…Trump Says “Not Part of the Agreement”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presides over a cabinet meeting at the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv in 2023. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

The presence of Israel is also a factor heightening uncertainty. Israel has sent a message that it will take independent military action regardless of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire.

On this day, Israel determined that Lebanon was not included in the ceasefire agreement and launched its largest-ever attack on Lebanon. Lebanon is the base of Hezbollah, a pro-Iranian militant group.

After the attack on Lebanon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a video message, stating, “Israel still has military objectives to achieve. Whether through an agreement or renewed conflict, we will accomplish them. We are always ready to return to battle, and our fingers remain on the trigger.”

The United States appears to be supporting Israel’s stance. In an interview with PBS, President Trump said he was aware of Israel’s attack on Lebanon and stated, “It was not included in the ceasefire agreement. That issue will also be dealt with.”

Iran responded immediately. Iranian news agency Tasnim News reported that if Israel continues its attacks on Lebanon and violates the ceasefire agreement, Iran will withdraw from the ceasefire. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also officially raised the issue of Israel’s attack on Lebanon as a violation of the ceasefire to Pakistani mediators, further highlighting the instability of the temporary ceasefire from the very first day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.