TEHRAN, May 18. /TASS/. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei has emphasized that the unfreezing of Iranian assets and the lifting of sanctions are not mere conditions set by Tehran, but rather legitimate rights they have long been advocating for.

"Regarding the unfreezing of Iranian assets, this can be viewed as Iran's demand - not just a condition," he stated at a news conference. "This is an absolutely legitimate right. We do not expect the other side to simply grant us money; this is a right that was unjustly taken from Iran." Baghaei reiterated that the removal of sanctions and the release of assets frozen for years in various banks are core demands consistently raised by Iran's negotiators in each round of talks with the United States.

Earlier, Baghaei also mentioned that Iran and the United States continue to exchange comments and proposals through Pakistan concerning adjustments to Iran's latest settlement plan.