The Natanz nuclear facility in Iran, as seen in a satellite image taken on January 28. [PlanetLabs/AP Yonhap News]

Iran announced on the 2nd (local time) that it is reviewing concrete details for resuming nuclear talks with the United States.

According to Iran's state-run IRNA news agency, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, stated at a press briefing on the same day, "We are in the process of reviewing and deciding on the working methods and framework for the diplomatic process."

When asked about the objective of the negotiations, he said, "Instead of dispelling concerns about Iran's nuclear program and building trust, it is to lift the oppressive sanctions that have been imposed on the Iranian people for the past several years."

Regarding the recent military pressure from the U.S. in the Middle East, including the deployment of strategic assets such as the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, he commented, "We are also facing the problem of current threats, and all issues must be considered in all negotiations and diplomatic processes."

When asked about reports that the U.S. recently presented a deadline to Iran for resuming nuclear talks, he replied, "Iran has never accepted any ultimatums or deadlines." He added, "Of course, time is very important, and we hope to be able to discuss more details within a few days."

Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. [Photo courtesy of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

In relation to this, Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency, citing sources, reported that "The Iranian president has instructed the start of nuclear negotiations with the United States."

The outlet shared this article on its X (formerly Twitter) account, posting photos of Steve Wokoff, the U.S. Special Envoy for Iran, and Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister. Specific details, such as the schedule, were not reported.

Another Iranian semi-official media outlet, Tasnim News Agency, also reported, citing sources, that "dialogue between Iran and the United States may open soon."

Meanwhile, when asked about reports that Iran had canceled military drills, spokesperson Baghaei dismissed them, saying, "There are no changes." The previous day, Reuters reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran was scheduled to conduct live-fire drills in the Strait of Hormuz early this month, but an Iranian government official denied this.

Baghaei reiterated, "There are no changes to the military's training plans," and stated that the annual joint exercises with Russia and China will proceed as scheduled. These three countries also conducted a naval joint exercise in the Indian Ocean in March of last year.