Tehran, February 3 — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has instructed the foreign ministry to pursue talks with the United States, provided negotiations occur in an environment free of threats and undue pressure. In posts on X on Tuesday, Pezeshkian said he told Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to respond to a U.S. proposal for dialogue after approaches from what he called “friendly governments in the region.”
Pezeshkian said any talks should take place “provided that a suitable environment exists—one free from threats and unreasonable expectations,” and be conducted fairly and equitably, guided by the principles of dignity, prudence and expediency. He added that negotiations must remain within the framework of Iran’s national interests.
State broadcaster Press TV reported the push for diplomacy comes as Washington’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Araghchi are expected to meet in Istanbul on Friday, a sign of a possible opening after weeks of rising tensions. The potential engagement follows a recent deployment of U.S. naval forces to West Asia, a move that prompted sharp warnings from Tehran. Iran has pledged a decisive response to even limited U.S. military action, and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned that any U.S. attack would spark a regional war.
Iran has earlier rejected U.S. conditions linked to reviving the nuclear agreement, including demands to fully halt uranium enrichment and to accept restrictions on missile capabilities. Ali Bagheri, foreign policy chief at Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, told Press TV that Iranian officials have no intention of transferring enriched nuclear material abroad and that negotiations do not center on sending enriched uranium to other countries.
(This report is sourced from a syndicated feed and published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)
