'Only within national interests’: Iran open to diplomacy with US but rejects talks under pressure

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has confirmed that Tehran is preparing to resume nuclear talks with the United States, signalling cautious openness to diplomacy even as tensions remain high following sharp warnings from US President Donald Trump.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Pezeshkian said he had instructed Iran’s foreign minister to begin the process of negotiations, stressing that any talks would be guided strictly by Iran’s national priorities and conducted only under acceptable conditions.

“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 wrote.

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He underlined that discussions would take place “within the framework of our national interests”, reflecting Tehran’s long-standing insistence that sovereignty and security concerns remain non-negotiable.

The announcement comes amid heightened regional tensions. Washington recently dispatched an aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East following Iran’s deadly crackdown on anti-government protests that peaked last month. The move was widely seen as a show of force and a warning against further escalation.

President Trump, while maintaining a hard line, has said he still hopes diplomacy can succeed. On Monday, he said Washington could “work something out” with Tehran, but warned that “bad things would happen” if negotiations failed to produce an agreement.

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Iranian officials have repeatedly said they prefer diplomacy but have also vowed a strong response to any military action. Tehran has consistently rejected expanding talks beyond the nuclear file, ruling out negotiations over its missile programme or broader defence capabilities.

That position was echoed again this week. Iranian authorities stressed that any engagement with Washington must remain narrowly focused on nuclear issues, a stance that has been a key stumbling block in past efforts to revive a deal.

In an interview with CNN aired on Monday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi struck a cautiously optimistic tone, suggesting a breakthrough remained possible if both sides adhered to clear limits.

“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,” Araghchi said.

“So if that is the case, I am confident that we can achieve a deal,” he added.

Despite these diplomatic signals, Iran’s leadership has also issued stark warnings. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has cautioned that any US attack on Iran could trigger a “regional war.”