Tehran is willing to shut down or suspend its nuclear programme to reach an agreement with Washington and ease regional tensions, The New York Times reported on February 3, citing sources.

Two unnamed US officials said Iran would prefer a proposal to create a regional consortium to produce nuclear power, with talks expected in the next few days in Turkey, with President Erdogan hosting talks between the sides.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff are communicating directly through text messages ahead of expected talks in Istanbul on February 6, Iranian and American officials told the newspaper.

The meeting will also involve US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and will be attended by senior officials from Turkey, Qatar and Egypt.

President Masoud Pezeshkian said earlier on February 3 that he had instructed Araghchi to pursue negotiations with the United States if a suitable environment exists, free from threats and unreasonable expectations.

In addition, Qatar, in cooperation with its regional partners, continues negotiations to reduce tensions around Iran and resume the negotiation process, according to a Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

Negotiations on this issue are actively advancing, and high-ranking officials attending the February 6 meeting in Istanbul, including the Iranian Foreign Minister, the US Special Presidential Envoy, and Jared Kushner. 

The decision came in response to requests from friendly governments in the region to respond to Trump's proposal for negotiations.

Trump said on January 26 that Washington had sent a "big armada" towards Iran and expressed hope that Tehran would engage in dialogue and make a deal renouncing nuclear weapons. The US leader said Iranian officials were in serious talks with US colleagues.

The potential talks come as the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group continues to operate in the Middle East region. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Gulf states have been engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts to prevent military escalation between Washington and Tehran.