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US-Iran talks begin amid tensions in Middle East

By The South Asia Times

WASHINGTON/TEHRAN - The US and Iran have reportedly begun talks aimed at easing tensions between the longtime adversaries as conflict and diplomatic strains continue to mount across the Middle East, officials and leaders from both sides said.

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said preparations for negotiations were moving forward despite what he described as heightened media speculation.

“Contrary to the hype of the contrived media war, the formation of a structure for negotiations is progressing,” Larijani wrote on the social media platform X.

US President Donald Trump earlier confirmed that discussions were underway, telling reporters aboard Air Force One that Iran was “seriously talking” with Washington.

“I hope they negotiate something that’s acceptable,” Trump said, adding that a deal preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remained possible.

“We could make a negotiated deal that would be satisfactory, with no nuclear weapons … but I don’t know if they will.”

In a separate interview with CNN, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said a “just, fair and equitable” nuclear agreement with the US could be reached in the short term if Washington abandoned what he called coercive policies toward Tehran.

Diplomatic sources said Türkiye is playing a key facilitation role in the emerging talks. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has spoken with Iran’s president, while Iran’s foreign minister has also held meetings with his Turkish counterpart, the sources said.

The diplomatic push comes as the US steps up its military posture in the region. Trump said earlier that the US was moving a carrier strike group to the Middle East, describing American military power as overwhelming and stronger than that of Venezuela, in comments aimed at deterring escalation.

Tensions between Washington and Tehran have remained high over Iran’s nuclear programme, US sanctions, and regional conflicts, though both sides have signaled renewed interest in exploring a negotiated path to reduce the risk of confrontation.