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US-Iran peace talks: <\/strong>Tensions between the United States and Iran remain high as JD Vance issued a sharp warning to Tehran ahead of crucial negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.\u00a0<\/p> The US Vice President departed on April 10 for Islamabad, where he is set to lead mediated talks with Iranian representatives. The negotiations, being hosted in Pakistan, come at a critical moment amid escalating hostilities and fragile diplomatic efforts in the region.\u00a0<\/p> Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force Two, Vance struck a cautiously optimistic tone but underscored Washington\u2019s firm stance. \u201cWe\u2019re looking forward to the negotiation. I think it\u2019s gonna be positive. We\u2019ll of course see,\u201d he said, signaling openness to dialogue while keeping expectations measured.\u00a0<\/p> Referencing US President Donald Trump, Vance added that the administration remains willing to engage\u2014provided Iran negotiates sincerely. \u201cIf the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we\u2019re certainly willing to extend the open hand,\u201d he noted.\u00a0<\/p> However, the vice president delivered a pointed warning: \u201cIf they\u2019re gonna try and play us, then they\u2019re gonna find that the negotiating team is not that receptive.\u201d The remark reflects growing frustration in Washington over what it sees as Tehran\u2019s inconsistent posture in past engagements.\u00a0<\/p> Vance also revealed that Trump had provided \u201cclear guidelines\u201d for the negotiations, though he declined to elaborate further and did not take questions from the press.\u00a0<\/p> Iran sets preconditions\u00a0<\/strong><\/p> Even before talks begin, Iran has raised the stakes. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran\u2019s parliament, insisted that key preconditions must be met before any negotiations can proceed.\u00a0<\/p> In a post on X, Qalibaf said that two previously agreed measures \u2014 a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran\u2019s blocked financial assets \u2014 must be implemented first. He warned that starting talks without fulfilling these commitments would undermine trust between the parties.\u00a0<\/p>