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Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has confirmed that he has authorised the start of nuclear negotiations with the United States, following renewed warnings from US President Donald Trump that “bad things” could occur if no agreement is reached.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Pezeshkian stated: “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.” He added that the talks would take place “within the framework of our national interests.”
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries.
Washington recently deployed an aircraft carrier group to the Middle East after Iranian authorities’ deadly response to anti-government protests that peaked last month. The move was widely interpreted as a show of force amid strained diplomatic relations.
President Trump has maintained that he remains optimistic that Washington and Tehran can “work something out”, but cautioned on Monday that “bad things would happen” if diplomatic efforts fail.
Tehran has consistently signalled its preference for diplomacy while warning of a forceful response to any aggression. Iranian officials have also stressed that discussions must be limited strictly to the nuclear issue, rejecting any expansion of talks to include its missile programme or broader defence capabilities.
In an interview with CNN broadcast on Monday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed confidence that an 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,” he said. “So if that is the case, I am confident that we can achieve a deal.”
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has warned that any US attack could trigger a “regional war.”
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