As negotiations resume this weekend, analysts cite an emerging consensus among Iranian officials that engagement with the Trump administration should be a priority.

Plans for a third round of talks in three weeks have raised hopes for an Iran nuclear accord, which could avert a new Mideast conflict. President Trump said he believed a deal was within reach.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says he is neither “overly optimistic nor overly pessimistic” about nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington but still appeared to back the continuation of discussions.