Tehran conditions talks on end to US blockade

Oil prices fluctuate amid ceasefire uncertainty due to Iran and US tensions

TEHRAN: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-April 22^nd, 2026) Iran has linked the resumption of negotiations with the United States to the lifting of what it calls an ongoing blockade, warning that continued restrictions undermine the ceasefire.

Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir-Saeid Iravani, said Washington must halt actions that violate the ceasefire before any new round of talks can begin. He stated that once the blockade is lifted, the next phase of negotiations could be held in Islamabad, adding that Tehran is prepared for all possible scenarios.

The envoy maintained that Iran has not initiated any military aggression and remains open to a political resolution. However, he cautioned that the country is equally ready to respond if conflict is imposed.

In a separate development, Iranian authorities executed a man convicted of spying for Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad.

Judiciary-linked media reported that the individual, identified as Mehdi Farid, had been working in a civil defence unit within a sensitive organisation and used his position to gather and transmit classified information.

His death sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court and carried out after the completion of legal procedures.

Global oil prices showed sharp fluctuations amid evolving developments related to the Iran-US ceasefire.

Prices briefly climbed above $100 per barrel after Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire, linking it to Iran’s submission of a formal proposal.

Brent crude recorded volatile trading, rising around three percent before gaining more than five percent to touch a session high above $101, following reports that US Vice President JD Vance had cancelled a planned visit to Islamabad for talks with Iranian officials.

However, oil prices later eased after Trump clarified that the ceasefire would remain in place until Iran presents a unified proposal and negotiations are concluded, although the US naval blockade would continue.

Earlier, Iran had said it had not yet decided whether to participate in the proposed talks and did not immediately respond to the US announcement.