In a significant shift toward de-escalation, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced on Tuesday that he has formally instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to pursue “fair and equitable negotiations” with the United States. The move comes as both nations signal a desire to avert a direct military confrontation despite a recent kinetic engagement in the Arabian Sea.
Iranian Prez ‘ORDERS’ starts of nuclear negotiations with US — Fars News Agency
‘Strictly within the framework of the nuclear issue’ pic.twitter.com/6IBZk6JMow
— RT (@RT_com) February 2, 2026
A Mandate for Diplomacy
President Pezeshkian confirmed the directive via social media, stating that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has been authorized to engage in talks guided by the principles of “dignity, prudence, and expediency.”
“I have instructed my Minister of Foreign Affairs, provided that a suitable environment exists—one free from threats and unreasonable expectations—to pursue fair and equitable negotiations,” Pezeshkian stated.
High-Stakes Nuclear Negotiations
The announcement coincides with reports from the Fars news agency indicating that Pezeshkian has specifically ordered the resumption of talks regarding Iran’s nuclear file. This follows a period of extreme tension after the collapse of previous negotiations in June.
Current U.S. Demands: Internal sources suggest the Trump administration has set high thresholds for a new deal, including:
- An absolute end to uranium enrichment.
- Curtailment of Iran’s ballistic missile program.
- Cessation of support for regional allied armed groups.
Mediated Framework and Upcoming Summit
While the U.S. military maintains a formidable presence in the region—including aircraft carriers and F-35C squadrons—backchannel diplomacy facilitated by Qatar, Turkiye, Egypt, and Oman has reportedly made “intensive” progress.
- Istanbul Summit: Reports indicate a high-level meeting is being organized in Istanbul for Friday, potentially featuring U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
- Regional De-escalation: Regional mediators have been exchanging messages to finalize the details of a diplomatic framework expected to be concluded in the coming days.
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Strategic Context
The diplomatic opening follows a Tuesday incident where a U.S. F-35C shot down an Iranian drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln. Despite the military flare-up, both President Trump and President Pezeshkian have publicly acknowledged that “serious talking” is underway. President Trump recently noted that Iranian officials “do want to make a deal,” even as he maintains “very big, powerful ships” in the vicinity to ensure regional stability.
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