Iran begins nuclear negotiations with the US: Details of the anticipated Istanbul meeting
In a significant development that could redraw the geopolitical map of the Middle East, a high-ranking Iranian government source revealed that President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued direct orders to begin formal talks with the United States . This move comes as an attempt to break the years-long deadlock in the Iranian nuclear issue, amid escalating regional tensions.
A highly anticipated meeting in Istanbul
The Fars News Agency and prominent Iranian newspapers such as the state-run Iran and the reformist Shargh confirmed the new direction, indicating that Tehran and Washington are about to hold serious talks. Providing more specific details about the implementation mechanisms, the American news website Axios, citing informed sources, reported that Istanbul, Turkey, will host a crucial meeting next Friday between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi US envoy Steve Wittkopf to discuss the framework of a potential agreement that addresses Western concerns about Tehran's nuclear program.
Background of the conflict and the diplomatic path
This decision cannot be understood in isolation from the historically strained relations between the two countries, particularly after Washington's unilateral withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018 and the subsequent imposition of a "maximum pressure" campaign and crippling economic sanctions on Tehran. Pezeshkian's decision represents a shift toward "pragmatic diplomacy" aimed at lifting the sanctions that have burdened the Iranian economy, while preserving the Islamic Republic's strategic principles.
Between the threat of force and the negotiating table
This Iranian overture comes at a time when US President Donald Trump is brandishing the threat of military force, having deployed an aircraft carrier to the region as a strong deterrent. Despite this military escalation and the fiery rhetoric that followed the recent protests in Iran, Trump has left the door slightly ajar for diplomatic solutions, expressing his hope for a new deal that would ensure Tehran does not acquire a nuclear weapon.
Internal situation and red lines
Domestically, the Iranian government faces complex challenges. While Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of a full-scale regional war should the country be attacked, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei that Tehran "does not accept the language of ultimatums," while simultaneously denying Western claims that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons. Baghaei indicated that work is underway to finalize a negotiation mechanism, reflecting Tehran's desire to preempt any military escalation with diplomatic efforts that could spare the region the horrors of a devastating war.
Observers believe that the success of these talks could lead to a comprehensive easing of tensions in the Middle East, while their failure could accelerate the pace of confrontation, making the Istanbul meeting a pivotal moment in the history of US-Iranian relations.
