The United States has informed Iran that it is prepared to hold a meeting and engage in negotiations aimed at reaching a potential agreement, Axios reports, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Axios reports that the message was conveyed to the Iranian side through diplomatic channels amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing concerns over Iran’s nuclear program and broader security issues in the Middle East. The communication signals Washington’s willingness to pursue dialogue, despite the strained relations between the two countries.
At the same time, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, said he is confident that an agreement with the United States on Iran’s nuclear issue is achievable.
“Let us not talk about impossible things and not lose the opportunity to reach a fair and equitable agreement that ensures the absence of nuclear weapons. As I have said, this is achievable even within a short period of time,” Araghchi stated.
He noted that in return, Tehran expects the lifting of US sanctions and respect for Iran’s right to continue uranium enrichment for peaceful purposes.
Araghchi also warned that if negotiations fail, Iran is prepared for war. However, he stressed that any conflict would not be confined to Iran’s territory and would be catastrophic for the region as a whole. He claimed that US military bases deployed across the region would become targets for Iranian forces in the event of a broader conflict.
US officials reportedly emphasized that Washington remains open to discussions that could lead to a negotiated framework, provided that Iran demonstrates readiness to engage constructively. While no date or location for a possible meeting has been announced, the outreach is seen as an attempt to prevent further escalation and keep diplomatic options on the table.
Relations between United States and Iran have remained tense for years, particularly following the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal and the subsequent reimposition of sanctions. Efforts to revive or replace the agreement have repeatedly stalled, with both sides accusing each other of lacking political will.
Axios notes that it remains unclear how Iran will respond to the US proposal, or whether Tehran will agree to direct talks. Iranian officials have previously stated that negotiations would depend on concrete steps from Washington, including sanctions relief and guarantees regarding future US commitments.
