Pezeshkian orders foreign minister to begin talks with US

KABUL (Pajhwok): Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has directed the country’s foreign minister to initiate negotiations with the United States over Iran’s nuclear programme.

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, along with representatives from several Arab and Muslim countries, were expected to meet in Turkey on Friday as part of renewed diplomatic efforts, Axios reported on Monday, citing two informed sources and a US official.

Pezeshkian wrote on his X handle that he had instructed Araghchi to commence talks with the US.

The president emphasised that negotiations should proceed “provided that a suitable environment exists — free from threats and unreasonable expectations — to pursue fair and just negotiations, guided by the principles of dignity, wisdom and expediency.”

kk/sa