War in the Middle East: still many uncertainties about negotiations between Iran and the United States.

1 Negotiations can start

It is the question that has haunted diplomatic circles all day on Friday: Will Iran come to peace talks with the United States scheduled for this Saturday in Islamabad, with the country not officially confirming its attendance? Eventually, the President of the Iranian Parliament and his delegation arrived in the host country shortly before 10 p.m., French time.

But it remains difficult to know if this will lead to something. While U.S. Vice President JD Vance called on Tehran not to “play games” with Washington, while promising to “try to conduct positive negotiations” – “if the Iranians are ready to negotiate in good faith, we are completely ready to extend a hand to them” – Iran, for its part, said it demands a truce in Lebanon and the freezing of its country’s assets before any discussions with Washington, casting doubt on the purpose of the process. State television also reminded on Friday evening that the talks will only start if Washington accepts “Iran’s preconditions.”

For his part, President Donald Trump stated that Iran has “no cards to play” other than blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic passage for global hydrocarbon trade, and threatened the country with new strikes in case of failed discussions.

2 Talks expected on Lebanon

Alongside the Iranian-American discussions, talks are set to take place on Tuesday between Lebanon and Israel in Washington, confirmed the Lebanese presidency. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously given his approval for “direct negotiations.” Hezbollah rejects this initiative, and its leader Na’im Qassem had called on Lebanese officials on Friday not to make “unwarranted concessions” to Israel.

Israel was once again targeted by around thirty shots from Lebanon on Friday, causing material damage, according to the army. And in the Gulf, Kuwait announced on Friday that members of its National Guard had been injured, after reported attacks, with Iran denying any involvement.

3 Situation still complicated in the Strait of Hormuz

Another shadow over the negotiations is the Strait of Hormuz. Traffic remains obstructed in this strategic maritime route for oil, as its reopening was a condition of the ceasefire. The main European airport association warned on Friday of a kerosene shortage “if passage through the Strait of Hormuz does not resume in a stable and significant manner in the next three weeks.”