ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran’s foreign minister confirmed that a meeting with European countries over Tehran’s nuclear program is set to take place in Istanbul on Friday, as US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the nuclear talks.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran and the United States held a fourth round of negotiations Sunday over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program, just ahead of a visit by President Donald Trump to the Middle East this week.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had just returned from the fourth round of discussions with a US delegation in Muscat on Sunday. Many things have happened since then.

Iran is preparing for a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iran's government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani was quoted by Russia's state RIA news agency as saying on Monday. "Putin's trip to Tehran is currently being worked out,

Over 20 foreign nationals who themselves endured years of captivity in Iran on Wednesday urged Sweden to step up efforts to free a Swedish-Iranian citizen sentenced to death in the country, after he had a heart attack last week.

Iran’s Deputy FM says his country may accept temporary limits on uranium enrichment, though no technical details have been discussed yet.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has an invitation to visit Iran, but the dates have not yet been agreed, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.