Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, Feb 3: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday confirmed that he has authorised the initiation of negotiations with the United States, provided the talks are conducted in an atmosphere free of threats and what he described as unrealistic demands. The announcement marks Tehran’s strongest indication so far that it is open to diplomatic engagement with Washington despite mounting regional and international pressure.

In a message posted on X, Pezeshkian said he had directed the foreign minister to move forward with negotiations if a “suitable environment” exists, stressing that the process must be fair, balanced and aligned with Iran’s national interests. He added that the decision followed appeals from “friendly governments” encouraging renewed dialogue.

While Iran has not officially disclosed the venue, an Arab official quoted by AFP said discussions are expected to take place in Turkey on Friday, facilitated through diplomatic efforts by Ankara along with Egypt, Oman and Qatar.

The move comes against the backdrop of sharp rhetoric and military signalling from the United States. President Donald Trump has warned of unspecified consequences if no agreement is reached, while simultaneously expressing hope that the two sides could arrive at a deal. Washington has also deployed an aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East following Iran’s forceful crackdown on widespread anti-government protests last month.

Since returning to office, Trump has revived his “maximum pressure” sanctions policy on Iran, further tightening economic constraints. Speaking recently, he said talks were underway and suggested that failure to reach an understanding could lead to serious repercussions.

Iranian officials, however, have drawn clear boundaries for any engagement. Tehran has insisted that negotiations must remain limited to the nuclear issue, rejecting any discussion of its missile programme or defence capabilities. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that while trust in the US as a negotiating partner has eroded, an agreement remains possible if Washington commits to a fair outcome focused on preventing nuclear weapons.

A senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ali Shamkhani, indicated that talks could initially proceed through indirect channels before shifting to direct negotiations if progress is achieved. He reiterated Iran’s long-standing position that it neither seeks nor intends to acquire nuclear weapons.

The diplomatic opening follows weeks of unrest inside Iran, sparked by soaring living costs and escalating into nationwide protests. Iranian authorities have acknowledged more than 3,000 deaths, claiming most were security personnel or bystanders, while a US-based rights group estimates the toll at nearly 6,900, largely protesters. Tens of thousands have been arrested. Khamenei has blamed the turmoil on the US and Israel, describing it as an attempted coup and warning that any attack on Iran could ignite a wider regional conflict.

Regional mediation efforts have intensified in parallel. Qatar has said it is engaged in sustained diplomacy with Tehran alongside other partners, while UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash has publicly urged Iran to strike a deal with Washington and rebuild bilateral ties, warning against recurring cycles of crisis.

Despite these diplomatic signals, uncertainty remains over whether negotiations will actually materialise — and whether deep-seated mistrust can be overcome following last year’s brief but intense war between Iran and Israel, which included US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and retaliatory missile attacks by Tehran.