ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday said he has instructed Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to pursue negotiations with Washington, amid rising tensions between the two countries.

“I have instructed my Minister of Foreign Affairs, provided that a suitable environment exists—one free from threats and unreasonable expectations—to pursue fair and equitable negotiations,” Pezeshkian wrote on X.

The development comes in light of requests from regional governments to “respond to the proposal by the President of the United States for negotiations,” according to the Iranian president.

Over the past week, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed his hopes to “make a deal” with Iran, warning of a potential military intervention if the two sides fail to see eye to eye.

“These negotiations shall be conducted within the framework of our national interests.”

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran’s Araghchi are expected to meet in Istanbul on Friday to discuss a potential nuclear deal, according to Axios, citing informed sources and a US official.

As tensions surge between Iran and the US, the two sides have shown willingness to negotiate on shaky grounds as military movement increases in the Gulf from both sides.

On Monday, Trump told reporters that “probably bad things will happen” if Washington and Tehran cannot reach an agreement, warning that the US currently has “a tremendous force” headed toward Iran.

While Iran remains under heavy international sanctions and pressure over its nuclear program, it has insisted on its right to pursue the “peaceful” use of nuclear energy.

Iran’s nuclear program has been a longstanding concern of the US, which has repeatedly demanded Tehran to curb its uranium enrichment. This combined with Iran’s violent crackdown on protesters despite US warnings, has prompted an increase in US military presence in the Gulf, dispelling fears of a potential military confrontation.

The US Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln and its accompanying strike group have gathered in the Middle East, with continued reports of further equipment amassing in the Gulf.

In an exclusive interview with CNN on Sunday, Araghchi said that Tehran believes there are “certain parties” that are trying to “drag” the US into war with Iran, but stated: “I think President Trump is wise enough to make the correct decision.”