Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has directed the immediate commencement of nuclear negotiations with the United States, according to reports from Iran's semi-official Fars news agency on Monday. The talks, expected to begin within days, mark the first formal diplomatic engagement between the two nations in 2026 amid heightened regional tensions.
Turkish mediation appears central to the breakthrough, with Fars reporting Ankara as the likely host venue. While details remain fluid, sources suggest Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi will meet US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. This development follows weeks of escalating rhetoric after Washington deployed an aircraft carrier group to the Middle East in late January.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed Tehran is finalizing negotiation parameters, telling reporters: "We seek a fair agreement that respects Iran's rights." The announcement comes days after Araghchi told CNN a deal remains achievable if Washington abandons "coercive tactics."
Analysts note the accelerated timeline follows recent warnings from US leadership about potential military consequences for failed diplomacy. As both sides prepare their delegations, global markets are monitoring how these talks might impact oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
