- President Masoud Pezeskhian of Iran
By SCM REPORTER
IRAN’S President Masoud Pezeshkian has dramatically paved the way for a high-stakes showdown with Donald Trump, ordering his top diplomats to open negotiations with the U.S.
In a move that could either cool the Middle East or spark a fresh firestorm, Pezeshkian revealed he has instructed his Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, to respond to a proposal from the White House.
The Iranian leader, often seen as a reformist voice in the hardline regime, claimed he is ready for “fair and equitable negotiations”—but only if the “suitable environment” exists.
Translated from diplomatic-speak: Stop the threats, or the deal is off.
Pezeshkian took to social media to layout his red lines, insisting the talks must be guided by “dignity, prudence, and expediency” and must never sell out Iran’s “national interests.”
On the Brink
The olive branch comes at a time when the world is holding its breath.
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have reached a boiling point following:
Trump’s Warning: The U.S. President has threatened “bad things” if a deal to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions isn’t reached.
Gunboat Diplomacy: A massive U.S. naval fleet has been dispatched to the region, with Trump boasting they are just “days away” from the Iranian coast.
Regional Chaos: Recent anti-government protests in Iran and the shadow of the June 2025 conflict with Israel have left the regime in Tehran feeling the heat.
Rumours are swirling that the first face-to-face meeting could happen as early as this Friday in Istanbul.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to sit across from Araghchi to see if they can hammer out a “Trump-style” deal. While Tehran says they want the crippling sanctions lifted, Washington is demanding a total end to uranium enrichment and a halt to Iran’s missile program.
An Iranian government insider said: “We are ready for diplomacy, but diplomacy is not compatible with intimidation.”
With oil prices already tumbling on the news of a potential thaw, the world now waits to see if the “Art of the Deal” can prevent the “Art of War.”
Why Now?
The sudden shift toward diplomacy follows a chaotic start to 2026. After the 12-day war with Israel last summer and a brutal crackdown on domestic protests that claimed thousands of lives,
President Pezeshkian’s government is under immense pressure.
Regional neighbours—including Turkey and Qatar—have been working overtime to mediate, fearing that a direct clash between Trump and the Ayatollahs would ignite a “regional war” that none can afford.
