DUBAI — Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has granted the government 'certain authorities' to conduct peace talks with the United States, President Masoud Pezeshkian said, marking a potential shift in the Islamic Republic's diplomatic approach toward Washington.
The statement, reported by Iranian media and carried by The Times of India, comes amid ongoing negotiations and tensions regarding Iran's nuclear program and regional activities. Pezeshkian's remarks suggest a possible opening for diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Washington, though the specific scope and implications of the supreme leader's authorization remain subject to interpretation.
The development signals a notable change in the dynamics of Iran-US relations, which have been characterized by hostility since the 2018 withdrawal of the United States from the nuclear deal. That withdrawal, during the administration of former President Donald Trump, reimposed maximum pressure sanctions on Iran and led to a significant escalation in tensions.
Pezeshkian, a relative moderate who took office in 2024, has frequently called for reduced tensions with the West. His comments indicate that the supreme leader has now provided a framework for the government to engage with the United States, though any formal talks would likely face numerous practical and political obstacles.
Analysts note that while the authorization represents a procedural step forward, the deep-seated mistrust between the two countries and disagreements over nuclear enrichment capabilities, missile programs and regional influence would remain significant hurdles to any comprehensive agreement.
