Istanbul Summit: Iran Sets Defensive Red Lines for Negotiations

Iran has placed its military forces on "maximum defensive alert," declaring its readiness for "any scenario" as the nation prepares for high-stakes diplomatic talks with the United States in Istanbul. An Iranian diplomatic source told Reuters on Tuesday that while Tehran is preparing for the meeting, it remains "neither optimistic nor pessimistic" about the potential for a breakthrough.

Strategic Deterrence and Red Lines The upcoming Istanbul meeting is viewed by Tehran as a litmus test for U.S. intentions. According to the source, the talks will reveal whether Washington "intends to conduct serious and meaningful negotiations to achieve results." However, the official was firm on one point: Iran’s defensive and missile capabilities are "not up for negotiation."

Nuclear Transparency and the "Rubble" Challenge In a parallel development, Ali Shamkhani, advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, reiterated that Iran has no desire for nuclear weapons. However, he emphasized that "the other side must pay the price" for Iran’s continued compliance and transparency.

In a surprising revelation, Shamkhani noted that the exact size of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile is currently unknown due to recent incidents where stocks ended up "under rubble." He explained that extracting this material is "fraught with danger," but confirmed that Iran is coordinating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to estimate the quantities safely and securely.

Practical Diplomacy with Washington Tehran has repeatedly signaled its preference for "practical negotiations" directly with the United States rather than through third-party intermediaries. As the regional security situation remains volatile, the "maximum alert" status of the Iranian military serves as a clear message of deterrence ahead of the diplomatic maneuvering in Turkey.

The Istanbul summit represents a critical juncture in the long-standing rivalry between Washington and Tehran, with the world watching to see if a roadmap for de-escalation can finally be established.