Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has instructed his foreign minister to pursue “fair and equitable negotiations” with the United States, as reports suggest top envoys from both countries may meet in Istanbul later this week for talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme.
In a post on X, Pezeshkian said the instruction was given on condition that a “suitable environment exists – one free from threats and unreasonable expectations”. The US has amassed warships and aircraft in the region for a potential strike on Iran, while President Donald Trump warned that if no deal is reached, “bad things would happen”.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated talks could be imminent, saying Tehran has always been ready for diplomacy provided there is “mutual respect and consideration of interests”. Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to the region for discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with a possible meeting in Istanbul on Friday involving representatives from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt.
The talks would be the first direct contact between US and Iranian officials since April 2024, shortly before a 12-day war in which Israel and the US struck Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile sites. Iran retaliated by firing hundreds of missiles at Israeli cities. Since then, Iran has rebuilt damaged facilities at Isfahan and Natanz, as confirmed by satellite imagery.
The US has dispatched a “massive armada” including the USS Abraham Lincoln and guided missile destroyers, capable of striking Iranian leadership or nuclear sites. Trump has also hinted at seeking regime change, raising fears of broader conflict. Six current and former Iranian officials told Reuters that the government is increasingly worried a limited US strike could reignite protests and potentially lead to revolution.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country is ready “for every scenario” and warned attackers would face “unbearable consequences”. Saudi and Israeli officials held talks at the Pentagon last week to discuss US strikes and potential Iranian counterattacks.
