A file picture of Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran.
| Photograph Credit score: AP
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian mentioned on Tuesday (February 3, 2026) that he has instructed Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi to pursue “honest and equitable” negotiations with the U.S., amid largescale U.S. troop mobilisation in waters near Iran and regional efforts to jump-start diplomacy.
“In mild of requests from pleasant governments within the area to answer the proposal by the President of the US for negotiations, I’ve instructed my Minister of Overseas Affairs, offered {that a} appropriate surroundings exists — one free from threats and unreasonable expectations — to pursue honest and equitable negotiations, guided by the ideas of dignity, prudence, and expediency,” Mr. Pezeshkian wrote in a social media submit.
Additionally Learn | If U.S. strikes Iran, ‘this time it is going to be a regional struggle’: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Earlier American media reported that Mr. Araghchi would meet White Home Particular envoy Steve Witkoff on Friday (February 6, 2026) in Istanbul. U.S. President Donald Trump had warned final week that “time is operating out” for Tehran to make a deal over its nuclear programme and warned that “an enormous armada” was heading in the direction of Iran. Amid regional tensions, Turkey, Qatar Egypt and Oman have been pushing for direct talks between the U.S. and Iran. Most of America’s allies in West Asia have opposed strikes on Iran.
“These negotiations shall be performed inside the framework of our nationwide pursuits,” Mr. Pezeshkian mentioned on Tuesday (February 3, 2026), with out elaborating on Iran’s phrases.
On Monday (February 2, 2026), the U.S. State Division mentioned President Trump was open for a deal. “Finally, the President is concentrated on our nationwide curiosity. He has outlined a really clear message for the [Iranian] regime — no nuclear weapons, cease killing protesters. And the President has proven that he’s prepared to speak to anybody when it’s in our nationwide curiosity to take action,” State Division spokesperson Tommy Pigott informed Fox Information in an interview. “The President has been very clear what’s he trying from the area — make a deal. We’ve got this most stress coverage in place.”
In response to threats from the Trump administration, Iranian authorities, together with Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had warned that any U.S. assault would set off a regional struggle. However Tehran has additionally signalled that it was open for a diplomatic resolution.
Mr. Araghchi, after assembly President Recep Tayyip Erdogan final week in Turkey, mentioned Iran was not looking for to construct a nuclear weapon. He informed CNN that he’s “assured that we will obtain a deal”. One of many sticking factors in talks with the U.S. is Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium. When Iran witnessed anti-government protests in late December, Mr. Trump had threatened to make use of drive if Iran killed protesters. Final week, introduced the main target again to Iran’s nuclear programme, which he claimed to have “obliterated” in June 2025 after U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear amenities.
On Monday, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned Russia was prepared to help with processing or storing Iran’s enriched uranium. Nonetheless, Ali Bagheri, the overseas coverage head at Iran’s Supreme Nationwide Safety Council, mentioned the nation won’t negotiate over its enriched uranium stockpiles. “Iranian officers haven’t any intention of transferring enriched nuclear supplies to any nation, and negotiations don’t revolve round such issues in any respect,” Mr. Bagheri mentioned, in response to Press TV.
Printed – February 03, 2026 11:50 am IST