Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Iran will pursue negotiations with the US after requests from 'friendly governments in the region' to respond to a US proposal for talks. In a statement on X, Pezeshkian said he had told Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi to pursue talks 'provided that a suitable environment exists - one free from threats and unreasonable expectations.' The Iranian president's words come after the country's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned any attack on Iran would spark a regional conflict.
US President Donald Trump has threatened to intervene in Iran over its nuclear ambitions and deadly crackdown on protesters, building up forces nearby. 'These negotiations shall be conducted within the framework of our national interests,' Pezeshkian added. The talks will be held in Istanbul on Friday, according to US media reports. Pezeshkian's announcement follows an interview with Araghchi in which he told CNN he was 'confident that we can achieve a deal.'
Speaking to a press pool in the White House, Trump said on Monday 'if we can work something out' that would be 'great', but warned that 'bad things would happen' if not. The US carried out targeted strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities last year, during which tensions escalated significantly. The crackdown by Iranian security forces in response to protests has led to a rising death toll and widespread public anger.
Reports indicate that the death toll from protests could exceed 25,000, with Iran facing significant international scrutiny regarding its handling of dissent. As the situation develops, the potential for negotiations provides a glimmer of hope for diplomatic resolution amid ongoing tensions.
US President Donald Trump has threatened to intervene in Iran over its nuclear ambitions and deadly crackdown on protesters, building up forces nearby. 'These negotiations shall be conducted within the framework of our national interests,' Pezeshkian added. The talks will be held in Istanbul on Friday, according to US media reports. Pezeshkian's announcement follows an interview with Araghchi in which he told CNN he was 'confident that we can achieve a deal.'
Speaking to a press pool in the White House, Trump said on Monday 'if we can work something out' that would be 'great', but warned that 'bad things would happen' if not. The US carried out targeted strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities last year, during which tensions escalated significantly. The crackdown by Iranian security forces in response to protests has led to a rising death toll and widespread public anger.
Reports indicate that the death toll from protests could exceed 25,000, with Iran facing significant international scrutiny regarding its handling of dissent. As the situation develops, the potential for negotiations provides a glimmer of hope for diplomatic resolution amid ongoing tensions.
