Full story
Iran-US negotiation terms
On Feb. 3, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian instructed Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to pursue fair and equitable negotiations with the United States, but only under strict conditions to safeguard Iran's national interests.
“he has directed the foreign minister to pursue “fair and equitable” talks based on “dignity, prudence and expediency,””
He set clear preconditions: talks must take place in a suitable environment, be free of threats and unreasonable expectations, and be guided by dignity, prudence, and expediency.
Several outlets reported that Pezeshkian framed the move as a response to appeals from friendly governments in the region following a U.S. proposal for negotiations.
He posted the statement on X, emphasizing that any negotiation should be narrowly focused, chiefly on the nuclear file, and should protect Iran's sovereignty and strategic interests.
Regional diplomacy and deployments
The announcement came amid visible signs of heightened regional tension and diplomatic shuttle-work: multiple outlets reported U.S. naval deployments to the region and active mediation by regional states such as Türkiye, Qatar, Egypt and Oman.
Reports say Türkiye has been working to host talks in Istanbul this week, with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff traveling across the region; some sources note that Iranian and U.S. officials have exchanged messages via back channels.
Journalists and analysts framed the outreach as taking place under the simultaneous pressure of a U.S. military presence and concerted regional diplomacy to defuse the crisis.
Reactions to Pezeshkian's move
Domestic politics and the legacy of recent nationwide protests shape how outlets interpret the significance of Pezeshkian's move.
“the first clear sign from Tehran it wants to engage in talks amid high tensions after the government’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests last month.”
Several sources describe the instruction as the first clear sign Tehran might be willing to negotiate after a violent crackdown on protests.
Those accounts also note that Pezeshkian, a reformist, appears to have or to be seeking backing from Supreme Leader Khamenei for this course.
Other sources frame the move as a pragmatic, cautious opening that Pezeshkian presents as guided by dignity and prudence rather than an unconditional policy reversal.
Uncertainty over possible talks
Reporting varies on the mechanics and immediacy of any talks.
Several outlets say indirect or back-channel contacts are underway and that talks, if they begin, would likely start indirectly and only shift to direct negotiations if progress is visible.
Others reported state media or semiofficial agencies briefly published then deleted notices that Araghchi had been ordered to open talks, underscoring the uncertainty, and the U.S. has not publicly confirmed a new negotiation proposal.
Journalists also flagged that earlier rounds of contact occurred before the 12-day war in June, and that any resumption would be complicated by prior attacks on nuclear sites and elevated enrichment levels.
Prospects for Nuclear Talks
Prospects remain uncertain: officials quoted or paraphrased by multiple outlets stressed that any new agreement would depend on U.S. behavior and good-faith negotiation.
“Tehran said talks will be limited to the nuclear program and will not cover missiles or other defense issues.”
Iranian officials repeatedly ruled out negotiating away missiles or defense capabilities and insisted that talks be limited to the nuclear dossier; some advisers suggested talks might begin indirectly and only become direct if a promising framework emerges.
International reactions and next steps were depicted differently across outlets, with some stressing diplomatic de-escalation and others highlighting the continuing risk of confrontation.