Iran and U.S. Set for High-Stakes Face-to-Face Meeting in Istanbul

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, February 3, Pezeshkian emphasized that talks must secure national interests and proceed without "threats or irrational conditions."

Regional diplomatic sources and major news outlets have confirmed that the long-awaited meeting is scheduled for Friday, February 6, 2026, in Istanbul, Turkey. The delegations will be led by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Reports also suggest that Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, may attend the session.

The summit will not be strictly bilateral; representatives from Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt are expected to participate, facilitating both direct and trilateral discussions.

President Pezeshkian noted that the decision follows requests from neighboring allies and a proposal for talks from the U.S. President. However, the backdrop remains volatile. Following the suppression of recent anti-government protests in Iran, the U.S. Navy has increased its presence near the Iranian coast. President Trump has warned Tehran of "catastrophic consequences" if a deal is not reached quickly, while Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that any U.S. attack could ignite a "great war" across the region.

Analysts view the Istanbul meeting as a "last-ditch" opportunity to preserve regional stability and avoid large-scale military conflict.