• Iranian President orders the resumption of nuclear talks with the US.
• US President Trump demands concessions from Iran amid military buildup in the region.
• Tehran explores regional diplomatic proposals to ease tensions.
• Outstanding issues between the two nations remain unresolved.

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the resumption of nuclear negotiations with the United States following recent threats of military action from US President Donald Trump about their nuclear program. Discussions are expected to involve significant officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff, although the exact timing and location of these talks have yet to be confirmed, according to Reuters, aa, and Channel News Asia.

The urgency for these negotiations arises partly from intense US military activities in the region, where Trump has deployed an aircraft carrier group to deter Iran after violent anti-government protests left thousands dead in January. Trump has publicly stated that "time is running out" for Iran to come to an agreement on its nuclear activities, thus heightening the stakes of the upcoming talks, according to India Times and Al Jazeera.

Simultaneously, Iranian officials are exploring various diplomatic channels proposed by regional countries to further ease tensions, aiming for a clear framework for negotiations to be established promptly. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei indicated that indirect communications with the US are ongoing, and further discussions involving regional mediators are on the agenda, as reported by Reuters and Channel News Asia.

While Iran expresses its willingness to engage in talks, it firmly rejects US preconditions that include halting uranium enrichment, curbing its missile program, and reducing support for regional allied groups. These conditions are crucial sticking points, which have historically made negotiations challenging, as articulated by both Iranian officials and CIA analyses, according to aa and Al Jazeera.

The geopolitical landscape remains charged, as Iran's top leaders have remarked on the possibility of conflict, asserting that any US military aggression could lead to a severe escalation in the region, which underscores the urgency for successful dialogue, according to India Times and Channel News Asia.