Iran’s president says talks with US proceed with Khamenei’s approval

ISTANBUL

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tuesday that ongoing negotiations with the United States are being conducted with the approval of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

“The negotiations are being carried out with the approval of the Leader of the Revolution,” Pezeshkian said during a meeting with Iranian clerics, as cited by local Iranian newspaper Entekhab.

He stressed that Tehran’s objective “is not negotiation for the sake of negotiation, but to find solutions to problems,” expressing hope that the talks would yield tangible results.

Pezeshkian also underlined that Iran maintains good relations with neighboring and Islamic countries, saying such cooperation has helped address several regional issues.

Tehran and Washington conducted a second round of indirect nuclear negotiations in Geneva, under Omani mediation.

The Iranian delegation was led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while the US side was headed by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s adviser Jared Kushner.

Araghchi said there had been progress in the Geneva round.

On Feb. 6, Oman hosted a round of indirect talks in Muscat amid a US military buildup in the region.

*Writing by Tarek Chouiref