Istanbul, Turkiye: Iran signaled its willingness to re-engage in dialogue with the United States, stressing that any negotiations must be fair and must not touch upon its defense capabilities, the country’s top diplomat stated Friday. The remarks come amid intensified regional efforts to avert a potential military clash between the two nations.
President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he intended to hold talks with Tehran, even as the U.S. dispatched another warship to the Middle East. Pentagon officials emphasized that the military is prepared to execute any orders issued by the president.
A key condition from Washington for restarting discussions has been Iran’s curtailment of its missile program, according to a senior Iranian official who spoke to Reuters last week. Iran has firmly rejected this demand.
“Should the negotiations be just and balanced, Iran is ready to engage,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters during a joint press briefing with his Turkish counterpart in Istanbul.
Currently, no meetings between Tehran and Washington are scheduled, Araghchi confirmed.
Meanwhile, regional allies—including Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia—have stepped up diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent a military confrontation.
Responding to U.S. threats, Araghchi reiterated that Iran is prepared for both dialogue and defense, if necessary.
Describing his discussions with Hakan Fidan as “productive and constructive,” Araghchi added that Tehran remains committed to working with regional partners to foster stability and peace.
Photo caption: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks at a press conference after meeting his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Istanbul, Turkiye, on January 30, 2026. — Reuters