Growing fears of a possible military confrontation between the United States and Iran appear to be easing after both countries signaled readiness to begin negotiations this week.
According to international media reports, a senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that preliminary talks between Washington and Tehran are expected to begin soon.
Possible Mediation by Regional Powers
Sources indicate that Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt are working to arrange a high-level diplomatic meeting between the two countries. The initial discussions are likely to involve US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and a senior Iranian official.
However, neither Washington nor Tehran has officially confirmed the planned talks, and details regarding the agenda remain unclear.
Iran Signals Conditional Willingness
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran is prepared to hold negotiations with the United States despite longstanding mistrust between the two countries.
He emphasized that Iran is willing to discuss its nuclear programme, provided the talks remain fair and balanced. However, Araghchi made it clear that Iran does not intend to negotiate over its ballistic missile programme or its support for regional allied groups, including Hezbollah and the Houthis.
The Iranian foreign minister stressed that nuclear-related matters should remain the primary focus of any dialogue.
Rising Military Tensions in the Region
The diplomatic development comes at a time when regional tensions have intensified. The United States has deployed a major naval fleet to the Middle East, including warships, missile systems, and additional military equipment.
The US Air Force has also announced military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically critical global oil route.
President Trump previously claimed that Washington had given Iran a secret deadline to return to nuclear negotiations. He warned that failure to comply could result in what he described as the largest military strike against Iran.
Iran Warns of Regional War
In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei cautioned that any US attack could trigger a widespread regional conflict, further escalating instability across the Middle East.
Global Focus on Diplomatic Outcome
Analysts believe that successful talks could reduce tensions and prevent a large-scale military confrontation, which could otherwise impact global oil markets and regional security.
Observers are closely watching the proposed negotiations, viewing them as a crucial opportunity to stabilize relations between the two long-standing rivals.