Web Desk (MNN); Iran and the United States will restart nuclear negotiations on Friday in Istanbul, Iranian and US officials told Reuters, as diplomatic efforts intensify to ease tensions over Tehran’s nuclear programme. A regional diplomat said representatives from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other countries are also expected to take part in the discussions.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will lead the talks, aimed at reviving stalled diplomacy and reducing fears of a wider regional conflict. Turkey, along with other regional partners, has been actively pushing for de-escalation.
The diplomat said Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and several other states would attend the Istanbul meeting, which will include bilateral, trilateral and multilateral engagements.
The renewed talks come amid heightened tensions following a US naval buildup near Iran and a deadly crackdown on anti-government protests last month, described as the worst unrest in Iran since the 1979 revolution.
US President Donald Trump, who had earlier threatened intervention, has since called for nuclear concessions from Tehran while signalling openness to a deal. Iran’s top security official Ali Larijani has also confirmed that arrangements for negotiations are underway.
According to Iranian sources, Washington has sought zero uranium enrichment, restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile programme and an end to Tehran’s support for regional allies. Iran has rejected these demands as violations of its sovereignty, though officials indicated missile issues remain a major hurdle.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran was reviewing all aspects of the talks, stressing that lifting sanctions quickly was a priority. A Turkish ruling party official said both sides had agreed to refocus on diplomacy, potentially averting US military action.
Iranian officials said Tehran was willing to show flexibility on uranium enrichment, including transferring 400kg of highly enriched uranium and accepting zero enrichment under a consortium arrangement, but insisted there should be no preconditions. They also demanded the withdrawal of US military assets from near Iran.
Meanwhile, Witkoff is expected to visit Israel for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior military officials.
Despite Iran’s claim that enrichment halted after US strikes on nuclear facilities last year, satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters suggests limited repair work at Isfahan and Natanz. Western states remain concerned that enrichment activities could lead to nuclear weapons, while Iran maintains its programme is purely for civilian purposes.
