Iranian lawmaker says direct US talks could take place in Türkiye or Qatar

Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani, a member of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security Commission, said direct talks with the United States could be held in Türkiye or Qatar. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said no definitive outcome had yet been reached in contacts in Qatar.

Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani, a member of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said direct talks between Iran and the United States could be held in Türkiye or Qatar. Emphasizing that negotiations were the only option under the current circumstances and that all wars end at the negotiating table, Ardestani said, "We must end the situation of neither war nor negotiations."

Ardestani also addressed the debate in Iran over withdrawing from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which periodically comes to the fore. He said such a move would create the impression internationally that Iran was moving toward producing nuclear weapons.

The Iranian Parliament (Islamic Consultative Assembly) building in Tehran

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also assessed the Iranian delegation’s visit to Qatar after a meeting of the parliamentary commission. Araghchi said, "The talks are continuing, but we have not yet reached a definitive outcome. The result depends on the answers the other side gives to our questions." He noted that the visit was conducted at the deputy foreign minister level, that no direct meeting with the US side was planned, and that the two-day program was continuing with Qatari mediators.

Araghchi said Iran was ready for both defense and diplomacy at the same time, adding that which path the United States chose was up to Washington. Araghchi said the instructions that the country’s leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, had given senior commanders clearly demonstrated Iran’s resolve, and argued that the army was much stronger than before based on experience gained from the previous two wars.

Earlier, a letter sent to Iran by US Vice President JD Vance proposed Istanbul or Doha for direct talks.

Iranian lawmaker says direct US talks could take place in Türkiye or Qatar