Diplomacy is possible if talks are “free of threats and unreasonable expectations,” President Masoud Pezeshkian has said,
Iran has signaled a willingness to pursue diplomacy with the United States, while stressing that any dialogue must be free of pressure and respect Tehran’s stated position on its nuclear program.
Tensions have run high since the US struck nuclear facilities in Iran last June, and spiked amid the widespread anti-government protests which gripped the country in December and January. In recent weeks, Washington has deployed an ‘armada’ led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to the Middle East, demanding that any potential deal limit uranium enrichment and restrict Tehran’s ballistic missile program.
The Islamic Republic maintains its nuclear programme is purely peaceful.
The Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida reported last week that intervention by Moscow and Ankara had diminished the likelihood of a US attack on Iran.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on X on Tuesday that he had instructed his country’s foreign minister to “prepare the ground for fair and equitable negotiations” if a suitable environment, “free from threats and unreasonable expectations,” emerges.
Ali Shamkhani, adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, similarly added that Tehran does not seek nuclear weapons. Speaking to the Lebanese TV channel Al Mayadeen late on Monday, he said any talks with the US would initially be indirect, and only proceed to direct negotiations if a deal appeared attainable.
Shamkhani added that Washington “must offer something in return” if Iran were to reduce uranium enrichment.
According to multiple media reports, US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi could meet in Istanbul later this week, alongside representatives from several Arab and Muslim countries, to discuss a possible deal.
This would be the first high-level US-Iran contact since last April, shortly before the June bombing of Iranian nuclear and missile sites.
Despite the threats of new military action, US President Donald Trump told reporters on Sunday that he hopes “we make a deal” with Iran. Washington withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, prompting Tehran to gradually scale back compliance and enrich uranium to 60% purity.
The families of dead protesters will be thrilled to hear Trump was lying when he said help is coming. Although Trump is doing a lot more for Iranians than: Starmer, Von der Leyen, Xi, Luxon, Albanese, etc.
Chalk it up as another win for corrupt politicians / clerics stealing the lives and fortunes of their citizens.
Talking about corrupt politicians stealing lives and fortunes, how is the teenager killing, Drysdale inquiry progressing?
Hopefully they haven’t put covid farce minister Van Velden in charge!
Trump should not legitimize these 7th Century Barbarian terrorist – by negotiating. Even less should he countenance them setting the terms.
They have large mouths – these bloodthirsty savage IRGC Clowns….with Zero air defense. If IDF jest can refuel with impunity in Iranian airspace on Day 2 of the 12 day war – I can only guess what is going to happen if the US goes full noise on their backward asses.
DESTROY the IRGC and all of their infrastructure. Do it NOW…!!!