TEHRAN: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced on Tuesday that he has instructed his government to begin nuclear negotiations with the United States, following warnings from President Donald Trump of potential “bad things” if an agreement is not reached.
“In response to requests from friendly regional governments and the proposal from the President of the United States for talks, I have directed my Minister of Foreign Affairs, provided a suitable environment exists — one free from threats or unreasonable demands — to pursue fair and equitable negotiations,” Pezeshkian said in a post on X. He emphasized that the discussions will proceed “within the framework of our national interests.”
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions in the region, after the US dispatched an aircraft carrier group to the Middle East in response to widespread anti-government protests in Iran last month.
President Trump expressed cautious optimism about the potential for diplomacy, but reiterated on Monday that “bad things would happen” if no deal materializes.
Tehran has consistently emphasized its commitment to diplomacy while warning of a strong response to any aggression. Iranian officials insist that negotiations focus strictly on the nuclear program and reject discussions concerning missile development or broader defense capabilities.
In a CNN interview aired Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated that a nuclear agreement with Washington is achievable.
“If the US negotiating team acts according to President Trump’s statement — to reach a fair and equitable deal that guarantees Iran will not pursue nuclear weapons — then I am confident we can finalize an agreement,” Araghchi said.
Meanwhile, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, cautioned that a US attack on Iran could trigger a “regional war,” highlighting the ongoing volatility in the region.