US, Iran Prepare for Rare Face-to-Face Talks in Istanbul
The planned meeting is expected to bring together the US special envoy Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Officials from Türkiye, Qatar, Egypt, and other states in the region are also anticipated to take part in the talks, as stated by multiple US media outlets.
Those involved are likely to address several parallel issues, including Iran’s nuclear activities alongside broader US demands related to missiles and the activities of regional militias, even though both sides remain distant on key points, according to reports.
Amid the growing deployment of US forces to the Middle East, President Trump highlighted the urgency of the situation, saying Sunday, “We have the biggest, most powerful ships in the world over there, very close, couple of days… Hopefully, we make a deal.” Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded with a warning: “The Americans should know if they start a war, this time it will be a regional war.” Both statements reflect the high stakes as the two countries edge toward the talks.
Behind the scenes, diplomats from Türkiye, Qatar, Egypt, Oman, and Iraq have been transmitting messages between the capitals, while direct communication between Araghchi and Witkoff has reportedly resumed through text messaging, according to sources familiar with the situation.
The diplomatic initiative comes as part of a broader push by regional intermediaries to reduce the risk of an outbreak of conflict, highlighting concerns that tensions could spiral into a larger confrontation if not addressed through dialogue, as stated by reports.
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