US, Iran plan first direct Nuclear talks since war as Witkoff, Araghchi set to meet in Istanbul
Senior officials from the United States and Iran are expected to hold direct nuclear talks in Istanbul on February 6, in what would be their first face-to-face engagement since last year’s 12-day US-Israeli war on Iran, according to a report by Axios.
The talks are expected to involve US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, marking a potential breakthrough after months of stalled diplomacy and rising military tensions in the region. Sources told Axios that while the meeting represents a “best-case scenario,” it is not considered final until it actually takes place.
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The renewed diplomatic push follows days of behind-the-scenes mediation by Turkiye, Egypt, and Qatar, aimed at reviving negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme. Axios reported that the foreign ministers of Turkiye and Egypt again held discussions with Araghchi on Monday to coordinate arrangements for the proposed meeting.
Iranian state media also reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian has authorised the resumption of negotiations with the administration of US President Donald Trump, signaling a shift toward renewed engagement despite ongoing pressure.
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Speaking publicly, Araghchi said Iran was open to diplomacy but warned against coercion. “Iran is ready for diplomacy,” he said. “But diplomacy is incompatible with pressure, intimidation, and force. We hope that its results will soon become evident.”
Despite the diplomatic opening, major differences remain. Iranian sources told Reuters that Washington is maintaining demands for zero uranium enrichment, restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile programme, and an end to Tehran’s regional alliances. Iran has rejected all three conditions, describing them as violations of its sovereignty.
According to two Iranian officials, uranium enrichment remains a firm red line for Tehran, while limits on missile development are viewed as an even more serious obstacle to any agreement.
Witkoff is also expected to visit Israel before heading to Istanbul, a stop reportedly requested by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, underscoring Israel’s close involvement in the evolving talks.
In a separate interview with CNN, Araghchi said indirect contacts with Washington through regional intermediaries had been “fruitful,” but cautioned that a wider conflict would be disastrous. “A wider war would be a disaster for everybody,” he said.
He stressed that any negotiations must focus strictly on Iran’s nuclear programme, rejecting US demands related to missiles and regional influence as “impossible,” while adding that a deal could be reached if sanctions were lifted in exchange for nuclear commitments.
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While reiterating Iran’s readiness to defend itself, Araghchi said the country’s military preparedness was aimed at preventing war rather than provoking one. His remarks followed repeated warnings from Iran’s leadership that any US attack would spark a regional conflict, even as officials on both sides suggest a framework for renewed negotiations may be taking shape amid mounting tensions in West Asia.
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