Pezeshkian Greenlights Istanbul Talks: Iran Sets Conditions for Dialogue as Trump Warns of "Bad Things" if Negotiations Fail

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian officially instructed Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday to seek "fair and balanced" negotiations with the U.S. in Istanbul this coming Friday. Pezeshkian’s move comes amid intense regional mediation but remains conditional on an environment "free of threats." This marks the most significant diplomatic shift since President Donald Trump combined military buildup with an invitation to talk.

The stakes are immense: Trump has warned of "bad things" as a massive U.S. naval armada approaches Iranian waters. While Russia labels U.S. proposals as "ultimatums," France insists that ending domestic repression must top the agenda. The Friday meeting will feature Araghchi and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, with representatives from Saudi Arabia and Egypt joining to mediate a crisis sparked by Iran's recent internal unrest and its nuclear ambitions.