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Iran's Preconditions
Iran set stringent preconditions for US-Iran talks, demanding a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of frozen Iranian assets before negotiations could begin.
“The United States delegation has departed for Saturday’s planned ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan, and Iran’s government confirmed its representatives have already arrived”
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that two measures mutually agreed upon have yet to be implemented.
The Iranian delegation included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and central bank governor Abdolnaser Hemmati.
The US delegation was led by Vice President JD Vance, who warned Tehran not to play us.
The ceasefire was supposed to cover all regions including Lebanon, but Israel and the US claimed Lebanon was not within the scope.
Divergent Death Toll
The death toll from the Rahman Textile factory fire diverged sharply across sources.
Reuters and the Bangladeshi government reported at least 28 killed.
The Dhaka Tribune and Guardian raised the figure to 33.
Al Jazeera correspondents counted at least 41.
The Bangladesh Garment Workers' Federation called a nationwide strike.
Supply Chain Scrutiny
Rahman Textile produced clothing for European brands including Hessen and BrandBox.
“Iran sets 'preconditions' ahead of ceasefire talks as Vance warns Tehran not to 'play' US Iranian and US delegations headed for Islamabad on Friday ahead of ceasefire negotiations between the two countries that threaten to be derailed by deep disagreements”
Both companies said they were deeply saddened and would review their operations.
Hessen's compliance team had audited the factory in March.
Clean Clothes Campaign said the audit system was fundamentally broken.
Rahman was being questioned about allegations that emergency exits had been welded shut.
