In a significant diplomatic development amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reportedly ordered the initiation of nuclear talks with the United States, according to multiple Iranian media outlets on February 2, 2026.
The semi-official Fars News Agency cited an unnamed government source stating that “President Pezeshkian has ordered the opening of talks with the United States” and that “Iran and the United States will hold talks on the nuclear file.” The report emphasized that discussions would focus strictly on the nuclear issue, though no specific date or format was provided. The news was also carried by Iran’s government newspaper and the reformist daily Shargh, lending it official credence, even as some outlets later appeared to backtrack or clarify on the immediacy of resumption.
This move comes shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism about reaching a deal with Tehran. In recent comments aboard Air Force One and to reporters, Trump indicated that Iran was “seriously talking” to the U.S. and stated he was “hopeful” of an agreement to avert military action. He referenced a substantial U.S. military deployment including an aircraft carrier strike group and additional forces heading to the region as leverage, warning that “time is running out” if diplomacy fails. Trump has repeatedly framed negotiations as the preferred path but maintained that force remains an option if Iran does not curb its nuclear ambitions.
The backdrop to these developments includes escalated regional tensions. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei recently warned that any U.S. provocation or attack could ignite a “regional war,” underscoring Tehran’s defensive posture. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed confidence in achieving a “fair and equitable deal” despite eroded trust from past U.S. actions, such as the 2018 withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) under Trump’s first term. Iranian officials have indicated that indirect channels through regional intermediaries (potentially including Turkey as a host) are facilitating progress, with a framework for talks expected to be finalized soon.
Reports suggest potential meetings could involve Araghchi and a U.S. envoy, possibly Steve Witkoff, though direct bilateral talks remain politically sensitive in Iran, Khamenei has historically opposed them without preconditions. Some sources mention U.S. demands extending beyond nuclear limits to include curbs on Iran’s ballistic missile program and support for allied groups in the region, which could complicate negotiations.
Analysts view this as a delicate moment of carrot and stick diplomacy. Trump’s approach combines military posturing with overtures for a “better deal” than the JCPOA, while Pezeshkian’s reformist-leaning administration appears to prioritize de-escalation amid domestic economic pressures and recent unrest. Whether these signals translate into substantive progress remains uncertain, but both sides have publicly signaled a preference for diplomacy over confrontation in the short term.
The international community, including European powers and regional actors, is closely watching for any breakthrough that could stabilize the volatile Middle East landscape.