ISTANBUL: Turkiye stepped up diplomatic efforts on Friday to ease rising tensions between Iran and the United States, as President Donald Trump appeared to soften his earlier threats of military action, though Tehran firmly ruled out any negotiations over its missile programme.
Read More: Turkey offers mediation as US-Iran tensions escalate
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan led regional outreach aimed at de-escalation after the United States deployed additional military assets to the Middle East following a deadly crackdown on protests in Iran. While the Pentagon said US forces remained ready, Mr Trump said late on Thursday that he hoped to avoid conflict and that talks could be possible.
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Visiting Turkiye, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi welcomed the prospect of dialogue but said Iran’s defence capabilities were non-negotiable. “Iran’s defensive and missile capabilities will never be subject to negotiation,” he said, adding that there were currently no plans for talks with US officials. However, he said Tehran was open to negotiations conducted on an equal footing and based on mutual respect.
Mr Erdogan spoke by phone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, offering Turkiye’s support as a facilitator between Tehran and Washington. Standing alongside Mr Araghchi in Istanbul, Mr Fidan said reviving talks over Iran’s nuclear programme was essential to reducing regional tensions and urged Washington to avoid pressure for military action.
Despite diplomatic overtures, obstacles remain. US officials have indicated that any agreement would require limits on Iran’s long-range missile stockpile and restrictions on uranium enrichment. Britain and the European Union have also increased pressure, with the EU designating Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation, a move Tehran strongly condemned.
Read More: Iran FM heads to Turkiye amid US standoff
Meanwhile, military preparedness continues, with reports of increased US naval presence in the region. Mr Araghchi reiterated that Iran did not seek war but warned that negotiations could not occur “under the shadow of threats”.