Iran’s president orders nuclear talks with the US, stressing they must be fair, equitable and free from threats, as Trump warns of consequences.
TEHRAN: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has confirmed he ordered the start of nuclear talks with the United States.
He stated the talks would proceed “within the framework of our national interests” and only in a suitable environment free from threats.
“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 said in a post on X.
The announcement follows a warning from US President Donald Trump that “bad things would happen” if no deal is reached.
Trump has said he remains hopeful Washington will “work something out” with Iran.
Washington recently dispatched an aircraft carrier group to the Middle East following Iran’s deadly response to anti-government protests.
Tehran has insisted it wants diplomacy while vowing a strong response to any aggression.
It has stressed that talks should focus solely on the nuclear issue, rejecting negotiations over its missile programme.
In a CNN interview, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a nuclear deal with the US was achievable.
“So I see the possibility of another talk if the US negotiation team follows what President Trump said: to come to a fair and equitable deal to ensure that there is no nuclear weapons,” he said.
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has previously warned of a “regional war” if the US attacked his country.
