Iran’s top diplomat says government is ready for talks with US on a nuclear deal

Abbas Araghchi suggests nuclear programme negotiations could begin imminently, as American forces amass in region

Iran's top diplomat has said the government is ready for negotiations with the US as the two countries reportedly prepared to send top envoys to Istanbul for high-stakes talks on the Iranian nuclear programme later this week.

As US warships and aircraft have amassed in the region for a potential strike on Iran, the country's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, suggested that talks could take place imminently. Donald Trump on Saturday said Iranians were seriously talking to us" as he hinted at a deal to avert military strikes against Tehran.