US-Iran nuclear diplomacy resumes with planned talks in Türkiye

Senior US and Iranian officials are preparing for talks in Türkiye on February 6 as efforts resume to revive nuclear negotiations and regional partners seek a diplomatic solution to prevent possible US military action against Iran, three sources told CNN.

According to a US official, a regional source, and another person familiar with the discussions, US Special Representative Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Istanbul.

Foreign ministers from Egypt, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are also expected to take part in the gathering. It remains unclear whether Washington and Tehran will hold direct talks or communicate through intermediaries, although the US has been pressing for face-to-face negotiations.

The talks are being arranged at a time when the United States has significantly increased its military presence in the region in preparation for a possible strike, while President Donald Trump has simultaneously expressed cautious optimism about diplomacy. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump said Iran was “talking to us, seriously talking to us.” On the same day, Araghchi told CNN he was “confident that we can achieve a deal.”

Sources warned that despite the current plans, unexpected developments could still postpone or derail the meeting. Previous attempts at nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran were disrupted last year by the 12-day war, during which both Israel and the United States carried out military strikes on Iran.

By Tamilla Hasanova