Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, will visit Ankara for talks focused on preventing a U.S. attack. Turkish diplomats are working to persuade Tehran that it must make concessions regarding its nuclear program to avoid a potentially devastating conflict.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has proposed a video conference between Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian—a high-stakes diplomatic move that might appeal to the U.S. leader but would likely be rejected by cautious Iranian officials. The two countries have not held formal direct talks for a decade.
Araghchi’s visit on Friday takes place amid urgent international diplomacy and escalating threats from both sides. This week, senior defense and intelligence officials from Israel and Saudi Arabia were also in Washington for discussions on Iran, according to an Axios report on Thursday.
Trump has warned Iran that time is running out, threatening a U.S. attack that would be more violent and extensive than the intervention in Venezuela. Iran has responded defiantly, with Army Chief Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami announcing that since the 12-day war in June, Iran has revised its tactics and built 1,000 sea- and land-based drones. He stated that these drones, along with Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal, could deliver a crushing response to any attack, though Iran’s air defenses remain its greatest military weakness.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran is “preparing for a military confrontation while also using diplomatic channels.” The Kremlin has urged both sides to recognize that there is still time for diplomacy, but Turkey has emerged as the primary mediator as a nervous Middle East watches the looming threat of a regional conflict.
Inside Iran, calls for concessions are being overshadowed by a deeply polarized society. One faction demands that the leadership stand up to America, while another seeks to provoke the regime’s collapse. In an effort to heal a wounded society, President Masoud Pezeshkian has acknowledged public anger over the suppression of protests by promising to publish a full list of those killed in the government crackdown, in cooperation with grieving families. However, given the widespread distrust within Iran and the power of the security services, it is unlikely that Pezeshkian will convince Iranians or international observers that the death toll was not in the tens of thousands.
Trump has not clearly defined his objectives, initially claiming he would attack Iran to defend protesters but later linking his threats to the country’s nuclear program. He appears to be using the possibility of strikes on Iran’s missile sites and groups like the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps to suggest he aims to trigger the regime’s collapse or at least the resignation of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Trump claimed to have destroyed Iran’s nuclear program during the June war, although U.S. intelligence agencies later provided conflicting assessments of the campaign’s impact.
Erdoğan spoke with Trump on Monday in an attempt to find common ground between Iran and the U.S. before any strike deadline. In a brief social media post, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that Araghchi would travel to Turkey on Friday for an official visit, adding, “The Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to steadily strengthen relations.”He stated that Iran’s relations with its neighbors are guided by a policy of goodwill and mutual benefit.
U.S. officials have maintained that Iran clearly understands Washington’s specific demands: transferring its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to a third party, halting domestic uranium enrichment, restricting its missile program, and ending support for proxy groups. All four of these conditions would be difficult for Iran to accept.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, “Attacking Iran is wrong. Restarting the war is wrong. Iran is prepared to negotiate on the nuclear issue.”
He acknowledged the challenges Iran faces in negotiations, noting, “It might appear humiliating for them. It would be very difficult to justify, not only to themselves but also to their leadership. So, if we can make these conditions more tolerable, I believe it would help.”
Fidan also argued that Iran must present a new image to the Middle East, saying he had been “very frank” with Iranian officials, telling them they “need to build trust in the region and be mindful of how they are perceived by neighboring countries.”
Fidan met with the U.S. Ambassador to Ankara and Special Representative for Syria, Tom Barrack, on Thursday.
In an effort to shield themselves from potential Iranian retaliation, most Gulf states have declared they will not permit their airspace or territory to be used for attacks against Iran.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs Irans Ankara Talks to Prevent US Military Action
Basic Understanding
What are the Ankara talks about
The Ankara talks refer to diplomatic negotiations potentially involving intermediaries where Iran aims to engage with the United States to deescalate tensions and prevent potential US military action against Iranian interests
Why is Iran doing this
Iran seeks to avoid a direct military confrontation with the US which could be devastating Using diplomacy in a neutral location like Ankara Turkey is a way to communicate its positions address US concerns and find a peaceful resolution
Who is involved in these talks
While the core parties are Iran and the United States the talks likely involve mediators The exact participants can vary depending on the specific agenda
Context Goals
What led to the need for these talks
Tensions have been high for years due to issues like Irans nuclear program its support for regional groups and sanctions A specific crisis like an attack or a major policy shift might have raised fears of imminent military conflict making urgent talks necessary
What are Irans main goals in these negotiations
Irans primary goal is to secure guarantees against a US military attack Secondary goals likely include getting some US sanctions relief gaining recognition of its security interests and preventing further isolation
What does the US want from these talks
The US typically wants verifiable constraints on Irans nuclear program a reduction of Irans malign influence in the Middle East and assurances regarding regional stability and the security of US allies
Process Challenges
Why choose Ankara as the location
Ankara is considered a relatively neutral ground Turkey has relations with both Iran and the US and can act as a facilitator Its geographic and political position makes it a practical venue for sensitive discussions
Are these direct talks between Iran and the US
Not necessarily Often such talks are proximity talks where mediators shuttle between the parties or they are indirect discussions within a broader regional meeting Direct talks are possible but less common given the lack of formal diplomatic relations
Whats the biggest obstacle to success
Deep mutual distrust is the core obstacle Decades of hostility make it hard for either side to believe the others promises Domestic political pressures in both countries also limit how much leaders can compromise
Implications
