Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has confirmed he has authorised the start of nuclear negotiations with the United States, following renewed threats from President Donald Trump that “bad things” would happen if Tehran failed to reach a deal.
Pezeshkian made the announcement Tuesday, saying he had instructed Iran’s foreign minister to pursue diplomacy — provided Washington adopts a constructive tone.
“I have instructed my Minister of Foreign Affairs, provided that a suitable environment exists — one free from threats and unreasonable expectations — to pursue fair and equitable negotiations,” Pezeshkian wrote in a post on X.
He added that any talks would take place “within the framework of our national interests,” noting that the decision followed appeals from “friendly governments.”
Trump, who has floated the possibility of military action, recently deployed an aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East amid heightened tensions after deadly anti-government protests swept Iran last month.
While expressing hope for diplomacy, the US president warned that consequences would follow if talks collapse.
“We’re hopeful we can work something out,” Trump said earlier. “But bad things would happen if no deal is reached.”
Tehran has maintained it prefers diplomacy but has vowed a forceful response to any aggression.
A senior official from the United Arab Emirates said Iran urgently needs to mend ties with Washington.
“I would like to see direct Iranian-American negotiations leading to understandings so that we don’t have these issues every other day,” said Anwar Gargash, presidential adviser to the UAE.
Although Iran not officially confirmed the venue for the talks, an Arab official speaking on condition of anonymity said discussions are likely to take place in Turkey on Friday, following mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and Oman.
Iran has also reiterated that negotiations must be limited strictly to its nuclear programme, rejecting any dialogue over missile development or defence capabilities.
Speaking to CNN, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has lost trust in Washington but believes a nuclear agreement remains possible.
“So I see the possibility of another talk if the US negotiation team follows what President Trump said: to come to a fair and equitable deal to ensure that there is no nuclear weapons,” Araghchi said.
Previous negotiations stalled last year after Israel launched a large-scale bombing campaign against Iran in June, triggering a 12-day conflict. The strikes targeted nuclear and military facilities, as well as residential areas, killing senior commanders, nuclear scientists and hundreds of civilians.
The United States briefly joined the fighting, striking key Iranian nuclear sites. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israel and targeted the largest US military base in the Middle East, located in Qatar.
Since returning to office in January last year, Trump has reinstated his “maximum pressure” sanctions policy on Iran, deepening economic hardship for millions.
Rising living costs sparked protests in Tehran in December, which later spread nationwide. Iranian authorities say more than 3,000 people died during the unrest, mostly security personnel and bystanders, blaming the violence on “terrorist acts.”
However, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported at least 6,854 deaths, mostly protesters allegedly killed by security forces, with rights groups warning the toll could be far higher.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described the unrest as a “coup” attempt backed by Washington and Tel Aviv, warning of a wider regional war if the US attacks Iran.
Adding to the strain, state media reported a major fire at a bazaar west of Tehran, though the cause of the blaze remains unclear.
