In a significant diplomatic development, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has authorized the commencement of nuclear negotiations with the United States, according to reports from Iranian state media on Monday. This move follows statements from US President Donald Trump expressing optimism about reaching a diplomatic agreement to prevent military confrontation with the Islamic Republic.
The announcement comes amid escalating regional tensions, with Trump having previously threatened military action and deployed an aircraft carrier group to the Middle East. While maintaining this military pressure, the US administration has simultaneously expressed willingness to pursue diplomatic channels, creating a complex dual-track approach to Iran policy.
Fars News Agency, citing unnamed government sources, confirmed that “President Pezeshkian has ordered the opening of talks with the United States” specifically addressing nuclear matters, though precise timing details remain unspecified. Iranian officials indicated they are developing a negotiation framework expected to be finalized within days, with communication between the two nations being facilitated through regional intermediaries.
The diplomatic maneuvering occurs against a backdrop of mutual warnings. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei cautioned that any US military action could trigger broader regional conflict, stating that while Iran would not initiate hostilities, it would deliver a “hard punch” to any aggressors. Trump responded dismissively to these warnings, emphasizing US military capabilities while maintaining his preference for a negotiated settlement.
Regional diplomacy appears to be intensifying, with reports indicating that Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar are mediating arrangements for a meeting between Trump’s special envoy and senior Iranian officials in Ankara later this week. Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament escalated tensions with the European Union by declaring all EU militaries “terrorist groups” in retaliation for the bloc’s similar designation of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.