DUBAI, Feb 3: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has opened the door to potential negotiations with the United States, instructing the country’s foreign minister to pursue “fair and equitable negotiations” if conditions are free from threats and unreasonable demands.
This marks the first clear sign that Tehran may engage diplomatically with Washington despite tensions following a violent crackdown on nationwide protests last month. The move also indicates support from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had previously opposed talks.
Turkey has reportedly worked behind the scenes to facilitate negotiations later this week as US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff travels in the region.
However, Washington has not formally confirmed that talks will take place. Prospects for an agreement remain uncertain, particularly as President Donald Trump has added Iran’s nuclear program to his list of demands. Trump previously ordered the bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites during the 12-day war launched by Israel against Iran in June.
Pezeshkian said on X that the decision followed requests from friendly regional governments and emphasized negotiations must be conducted with dignity, prudence, and expediency. A semiofficial Iranian news report initially confirmed the directive to Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi but later deleted it.
Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Khamenei, said talks would likely start indirectly and focus solely on nuclear issues, possibly moving to direct negotiations later.
He rejected proposals for transferring Iran’s enriched uranium abroad and stressed that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons. Iran has enriched uranium to 60% purity, near weapons-grade levels, and continues to deny International Atomic Energy Agency inspection requests.
Meanwhile, Witkoff is meeting Israeli officials, who want any deal to halt enrichment, limit missile development, and end Iran’s support for regional proxies. Trump favors diplomacy but warned of serious consequences if talks fail. (AP)
