Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday (February 3, 2026) that he has instructed Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to pursue “fair and equitable” negotiations with the U.S., amid largescale U.S. troop mobilisation in waters close to Iran and regional efforts to jump-start diplomacy. “These negotiations shall be conducted within the framework of our national interests,” Mr. Pezeshkian said on Tuesday (February 3, 2026), without elaborating on Iran’s terms. On Monday (February 2, 2026), the U.S. State Department said President Trump was open for a deal. When Iran witnessed anti-government protests in late December, Mr. Trump had threatened to use force if Iran killed protesters. Last week, brought the focus back to Iran’s nuclear programme, which he claimed to have “obliterated” in June 2025 after U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Source: The Hindu February 03, 2026 07:52 UTC