Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that Iran is reviewing the details and general outlines of a potential initiation of negotiations with the United States.
He made the remarks at a weekly press conference in response to media reports that negotiations between Iran and the U.S. could start within the next few days in Türkiye.
Baghaei denied that Iran had received any "ultimatum" from the U.S. and noted that Iran is at the decision-making stage.
"Regarding the negotiation framework, we are conducting multiple examinations and taking into consideration different aspects and angles of the issue. All parties have exchanged various opinions. At present, we are examining and making decisions on this issue," he said.
He said countries in the region are acting as intermediaries exchanging messages between the two sides.
Over the past decade, Iran has frequently seen deception and non-commitment to promises from the United States, which culminated in June last year when Israel and the United States attacked the country, Baghaei said, adding that the other side's behavior features a "clear contradiction."
Baghaei said Iran has always proved its steadfastness in adopting diplomatic approaches and using diplomacy to advance its national interests and protect collective peace in the region.
The removal or reduction of U.S. sanctions will be an achievement for Iran whenever it takes place, he said, noting that Iran demands the removal of sanctions, as a priority, in return for building trust and removing concerns about the nature of its nuclear program.
Iran's semi-official Fars news agency, citing an unnamed government source, reported on Monday that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the start of negotiations with the U.S. within the framework of the nuclear issue.
Citing two sources with knowledge, U.S. online media outlet Axios reported that U.S. President's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi are expected to meet on Friday in Istanbul to discuss a possible nuclear deal.
Tensions between Iran and the U.S. have remained high amid increased U.S. military activity in the region. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration deployed an aircraft carrier strike group and multiple warships to the Middle East late January.
Iran says reviewing details, general outlines of potential talks with U.S.
