By Jessie Yeung, Todd Symons, CNN
(CNN) — Iran has tentatively agreed to resume nuclear talks with the US as it tries to avert the threat of further military strikes, in what would be the first such negotiations since the Trump administration bombed three of Iran’s nuclear sites last summer.
Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi is expected to meet US Special Representative Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Istanbul on Friday, three sources told CNN Monday. Iran’s president later confirmed it was pursing negotiations –– though with conditions.
“I have instructed my Minister of Foreign Affairs, provided that a suitable environment exists — one free from threats and unreasonable expectations — to pursue fair and equitable negotiations, guided by the principles of dignity, prudence, and expediency,” wrote Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on X on Tuesday.
Pezeshkian said he had given the go-ahead for the negotiations following “requests from friendly governments in the region.”
“These negotiations shall be conducted within the framework of our national interests,” said Pezeshkian.
While Pezeshkian is president, ultimate power in Iran rests with the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He struck a defiant tone in Tehran on Sunday, warning that any US strike on Iran would result in a regional war.
Tensions have soared in the last few weeks, with US President Donald Trump sending a US “armada” to the region and renewing threats to strike Iran again if it does not agree to negotiate a new nuclear deal. Earlier in January, Trump had also warned of possible military action in response to nationwide protests in Iran, which had triggered deadly crackdowns by security forces.
People familiar with the matter told CNN last week that Trump was considering options including airstrikes targeting Iran’s leaders, nuclear sites, and government institutions. A US carrier strike group is now in the region, where it could support any potential operations against the country.
Iran is believed to have thousands of missiles and drones within range of US troops based in a number of countries in the Middle East, and has threatened to strike them, as well as Israel.
All eyes on Istanbul
The past few days have seen a flurry of diplomatic activity as regional leaders and players rushed to find an off-ramp to avoid conflict. Qatar, Turkey and Egypt have led these efforts, with Turkey offering to host in-person talks between the US and Iran.
Foreign ministers from Egypt, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are also expected to attend the Istanbul talks, the three sources told CNN.
Trump has expressed some optimism about negotiations, telling reporters on Sunday that Iran was “talking to us, seriously talking to us.”
Araghchi also told CNN Sunday that he was “confident that we can achieve a deal.”
But other Iranian leaders have taken a firmer tone. Ali Bagheri, the foreign policy head at Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), said on Monday the country has “no intention” of negotiating over its enriched uranium stockpiles, according to Iranian state media outlet Press TV.
Just weeks before the US struck Iran’s nuclear facilities last year, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) raised “serious concern” that Iran was enriching uranium to 60%, noting that it was the only “non-nuclear weapon state” to be doing so.
On Monday, Ali Shamkhani, a key advisor to Khamenei, told Lebanese media that the US “must offer something in return” if Iran