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 in what it called Operation Midnight Hammer, following a large-scale operation by Israel to target Iran's nuclear facilities and nuclear scientists. Trump added that there was a 'tremendous force' headed to Iran, including the 'biggest and the best' ships. The buildup of US military and navy includes aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which has an air wing of around 70 aircraft.
This follows a crackdown by Iranian security forces leading to thousands of casualties during protests sparked by economic frustrations, turning into calls for political change. Iranian authorities have faced criticism over the death toll, with reports indicating that 3,117 people were killed, while some groups claim the number could exceed 25,000.
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 in what it called Operation Midnight Hammer, following a large-scale operation by Israel to target Iran's nuclear facilities and nuclear scientists. Trump added that there was a 'tremendous force' headed to Iran, including the 'biggest and the best' ships. The buildup of US military and navy includes aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which has an air wing of around 70 aircraft.
This follows a crackdown by Iranian security forces leading to thousands of casualties during protests sparked by economic frustrations, turning into calls for political change. Iranian authorities have faced criticism over the death toll, with reports indicating that 3,117 people were killed, while some groups claim the number could exceed 25,000.
