Tehran bows to pressure, orders negotiations with Washington on nuclear issue

Tehran (The Uttam Hindu): US President Donald Trump's tough policies and military pressure have put Iran on the back foot. A major diplomatic shift has been witnessed amid rising tensions in the Gulf region. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has formally ordered the start of talks with the US on the nuclear issue. Iran's state news agency 'Fars' has confirmed this, quoting a high-ranking source. This move is being considered a result of the Trump administration's aggressive strategy.

The meeting may take place in Türkiye, Iran is reviewing it.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei confirmed on Monday that Iran is reviewing possible details and a general framework for resuming talks with the United States. According to Western media reports, a key meeting between the two countries could take place in Turkey in the next few days. Responding to this, Baghaei said that Iran is still in the decision-making stage and is closely examining every aspect of the issue. He stressed that "time" is crucial for Iran, as other parties have misused the process in the past few rounds of talks. Regional countries are currently acting as messengers between the two sides.

antitrust and sanctions removal conditions

Baghaei questioned the US's past record, saying that Iran has often been betrayed by the US over the past ten years and that promises have not been fulfilled. Citing the Israeli-US attack on Iran in June last year, he said that there is a clear contradiction in US behavior. Despite this, Iran has always shown commitment to pursuing a diplomatic path. The spokesperson clarified that Iran is ready to address the world's concerns about its nuclear program, but in return, sanctions must be lifted on a priority basis. He said that the lifting of sanctions would be a major achievement for Iran.

Warships deployed, Trump had warned

Tensions between the US and Iran are currently at a peak. In late January, the Trump administration deployed an aircraft carrier strike group and several warships to the Middle East, exerting immense pressure on Iran. President Trump on Sunday sternly stated that if Iran fails to reach a nuclear deal, "we will find out" how accurate Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's warning was, saying that a US attack could trigger a regional war. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with CNN that a "just and fair" nuclear deal could be achieved in a short time if Washington abandons its pressure policy.