Istanbul: Iran signalled a cautious willingness on Friday to resume talks with the United States, but insisted such negotiations must be conducted on “fair and equitable” terms and must not touch on Tehran’s defence capabilities, particularly its missile programme a clear red line for the Islamic Republic.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, speaking at a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Istanbul, said Tehran is prepared to re-engage with Washington but only if negotiations are fair and respect Iran’s sovereign rights. Araqchi emphasized that there have been no concrete meetings scheduled yet between Iranian and U.S. officials, underlining that preparatory work on format, agenda and venue is still needed before talks can begin.
Araqchi’s remarks reflect a calculated diplomatic posture: a willingness to talk, but not on terms that Tehran views as coercive or compromising its security interests. Specifically, Tehran rejects U.S. demands to curb or dismantle its missile programme, which Iranian leaders maintain is essential to national defense.
While extending a conditional olive branch, Tehran also issued a firm warning: it is prepared for either negotiations or military confrontation if pushed. Araqchi made clear that Iran’s defense capabilities including its missile forces are non-negotiable, accentuating the delicate balance Tehran seeks to maintain between diplomacy and deterrence.
Regional powers such as Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have been stepping up diplomatic efforts to prevent clashes between Tehran and Washington, encouraging both sides toward de-escalation and dialogue. Turkish officials, hosting Araqchi in Istanbul, underscored the importance of diplomacy over military confrontation.
Across the geopolitical divide, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his readiness to engage in talks with Iran even as the United States has sent additional military assets to the Middle East and the Pentagon has affirmed readiness for action if ordered. Trump’s statements signal a dual strategy: pursue diplomacy while maintaining military leverage.
U.S. officials have repeatedly linked the potential resumption of dialogue to Iran curbing aspects of its nuclear and missile programmes, demands which Tehran continues to contest as unacceptable.
Despite these public expressions of willingness on both sides, no direct U.S.–Iran negotiations are currently scheduled, and deep mistrust persists. Araqchi highlighted that venue, agenda and substantive conditions must be agreed before any substantive dialogue can occur, indicating that significant diplomatic groundwork remains.
Iran’s stance comes at a time of heightened regional and international tension, with fears of escalation over nuclear ambitions, defense capabilities and broader Middle East security dynamics. Analysts suggest that unless both capitals can lower rhetoric, align negotiation frameworks and build mutual confidence, the prospects for substantive breakthrough remain limited.
At the core of the current standoff are three enduring flashpoints:
Defense Capabilities: Iran’s missile and defense programmes remain a firm red line for Tehran and a key point of contention with Washington.
Nuclear Dispute: Decades-long negotiations over Iran’s nuclear activities continue to shape diplomatic openings and deadlocks.
Regional Influence: Iranian support for armed groups and its role in Middle Eastern conflicts add layers of complexity to U.S. policy calculations.
For now, both Tehran and Washington appear to be signaling a conditional willingness to engage, leaving a narrow window for diplomacy amid persistent distrust and geopolitical tensions that could quickly shift back toward confrontation if mistrust deepens or provocations escalate.