Pezeshkian signals conditional openness to talks with US

TABNAK, Feb. 03 - President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday that Tehran is prepared to explore negotiations with the United States, provided the talks take place in an appropriate atmosphere free of pressure and excessive demands.

News ID: 7141

Date: 03 February 2026 - 16:27

In a message posted on his X account, Pezeshkian said he had instructed Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi to pursue “fair and equitable negotiations” following requests from friendly governments in the region. He emphasized that any talks must be guided by the principles of dignity, prudence, and expediency, and conducted strictly within the framework of Iran’s national interests.

“In light of requests from friendly governments in the region to respond to the proposal by the President of the United States for negotiations: 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, guided by the principles of dignity, prudence, and expediency,” Pezeshkian said.

“These negotiations shall be conducted within the framework of our national interests,” the president underlined.

In comments on Monday, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran was carefully studying the structure of potential negotiations with the US, with a focus on lifting sanctions and advancing national interests.

On the objectives of the negotiations, Baqaei stressed that sanctions relief is a core priority. He recalled that Araqchi recently stated that the nuclear issue has long been misused as a pretext for imposing conflict on Iran, and added that in exchange for confidence-building regarding the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program, the country’s primary demand is the removal of unjust sanctions.