Tehran, Iran – A senior Iranian diplomatic source told Reuters that Tehran’s stance toward the upcoming talks with the United States in Istanbul, Turkey, this Friday is characterized by “cautious balance.” The source emphasized that Iran is neither “optimistic nor pessimistic” about the potential outcome.
Testing American seriousness
The source explained that the Istanbul meeting would be the true test of American intentions. He said the meeting would reveal whether Washington “intends to engage in serious and meaningful talks to achieve tangible results” or if it was merely a political maneuver.
Military readiness and red lines
In parallel with the diplomatic track, the Iranian source emphasized that the Islamic Republic has taken all necessary precautions on the ground. He pointed to the following: Maximum defensive readiness: The Iranian armed forces are on full alert and are “prepared for all possible scenarios” should diplomacy fail. The source also clearly stated that Iran’s defense systems and military programs are “non-negotiable” under any circumstances.
Context of the conversations
These statements come at a time of increasing international pressure on Tehran. The “Istanbul negotiations,” which will include—in addition to the two main parties—regional powers such as Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and Oman, are approaching, in an attempt to defuse a potential full-blown military conflict in the region.
