New Delhi, Feb. 3 -- Iran's president Masoud Pezeshkian has indicated a conditional openness to negotiations with the United States, signalling a potential diplomatic opening while emphasising strict preconditions.

In a formal statement, he said that, following requests from what he described as friendly governments in the region, he had instructed the foreign minister to explore the groundwork for talks proposed by the US president, provided the process unfolds in an atmosphere free from threats and "unreasonable expectations".

"I have instructed my Minister of Foreign Affairs, provided that a suitable environment exists -- one free from threats and unreasonable expectations -- to pursue fair and equitable negotiations," Pezeshkian sai...