The Iranian leader who slammed President Donald Trump just days ago said Tuesday that his country is now pursing "fair and equitable negotiations."

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for a peaceful resolution of tensions with Washington following renewed military threats from US President Donald Trump. During a telephone conversation with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi,

"Regime change is a complete fantasy. Some have fallen for this illusion," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told CNN Turk.

Masoud Pezeshkian claims foreign powers exploited the country’s economic crisis to foment nationwide unrest in Iran.

Iran has tentatively agreed to resume nuclear talks with the US as it tries to avert the threat of strikes, in what would be the first such negotiations since the Trump administration bombed three of Iran’s nuclear sites last summer.

Saudi Arabia tells Iran it will not allow its airspace or territory to be used for attacks, as US forces build up in the region and concerns grow over possible military action.

The call between the two leaders came after Trump repeatedly threatened to attack Iran during Tehran’s deadly crackdown on antigovernment protests this month. Last week, the US president dispatched an “armada” towards Iran but said he hoped he would not have to use it.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed on Tuesday that he had ordered the start of nuclear talks with the United States, after his counterpart Donald Trump threatened "bad things" if no deal was reached.

Iran has indicated a guarded willingness to resume nuclear negotiations with the United States, as President Masoud Pezeshkian sets clear conditions for talks, stressing they must be fair, free of thr