Kathmandu. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the country’s foreign minister to hold “fair and equal talks” with the United States.

The U.S. Navy has attacked an Iranian drone. It flew close to a U.S. aircraft carrier. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s high-speed boats also tried to intercept an American-flagged ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt said, “President Trump has always believed in diplomatic means, but for a successful negotiation, both sides must be prepared.” U.S. special envoy Steve Wittoff is scheduled to hold talks with Iranian officials in Turkey this week.

This move of Iranian President Pezeshkian shows that he has the support of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Turkey is making efforts to host the talks, while the foreign ministers of Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have also been invited to attend the talks.

Talks between Iran and the US will focus mainly on the nuclear issue. “Iran will never want a nuclear weapon, but other parties will pay a price in return,” said Eli Shamkhani, an Iranian adviser. ”