Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reportedly directed officials to begin nuclear negotiations with the United States, as US President Donald Trump issued a fresh warning that “bad things” could happen if Tehran fails to reach an agreement with Washington.
Local media reports said Pezeshkian ordered the opening of talks on Iran’s nuclear programme amid rising tensions between both countries, following Iran’s deadly crackdown on recent anti-government protests and renewed pressure from the US.
Trump, who has already ordered the deployment of an aircraft carrier group to the Middle East, said he still hoped both sides could “work something out” but stressed that time was running out for Iran to accept a deal.
Despite the threats, Tehran has continued to insist it prefers diplomacy, while warning that any aggression would be met with a strong response.
According to Iran’s Fars news agency, the Iranian president has authorised negotiations with the US, citing an unnamed government source.
The report was also published by government-backed newspaper Iran and reformist daily Shargh.
A meeting is reportedly being arranged in Turkey on Friday, following diplomatic interventions by Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and Oman, an Arab official told AFP.
Meanwhile, US outlet Axios reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to meet with US envoy Steve Witkoff in Istanbul to discuss the possibility of a renewed nuclear deal.
Trump has repeatedly warned that Iran must act quickly, arguing that its nuclear programme is aimed at producing an atomic bomb an allegation Tehran has consistently denied.
Speaking in a CNN interview on Sunday, Araghchi said Iran shares Trump’s position against nuclear weapons and described that as a possible foundation for agreement, adding that Iran would expect sanctions relief in return.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, also said Tehran was working on a negotiation framework expected to be ready within days, with communications being passed through regional intermediaries.
Turkey has continued to play a leading role in de-escalation efforts, with Araghchi recently visiting Istanbul and holding discussions with officials in several regional countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
