Iran’s top diplomat says there are no plans yet for talks with US

Iran has cracked down on nationwide protests, which began as demonstrations against the country’s economic woes but broadened into a challenge to the Islamic Republic’s theocracy

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left, looks at his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan during a joint press conference in Istanbul Picture: Khalil Hamra/AP

Iran’s foreign minister announced on Friday that his country is ready for dialogue to resolve tensions but that there are no concrete plans for talks with the US, even as Tehranfaces the threat of military action in response to the killing of peaceful demonstrators and possible mass executions.

Abbas Araghchi spoke in Istanbul, where he arrived earlier in the day for talks with Turkish officials. Ankara has been working to reduce tensions in the wider region following threats of a possible US military strike against Iran.