Secret Iran-US negotiations revealed, Axios says
Flag of Iran (Photo: Getty Images)
An unnamed US official reported that direct contact has been re-established in recent days between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, reports Axios.
Contact via text messages
According to the source, Araghchi sent text messages to Witkoff in which attention was focused on ending military actions.
It is known that the number of messages and their content have not been disclosed. The US official emphasized that Araghchi himself initiated the contact.
Following the publication of the information, the Iranian minister denied reports of recent contact with Witkoff, stating on X that the last conversation took place before the US's illegal military attack on Iran.
The US official stated that this claim is not true.
Trump's statements on the negotiations
US President Donald Trump confirmed that Iran has been in communication with the American side, but clarified that it is currently unclear who exactly is authorized to make deals.
Trump added that he is open to negotiations but is skeptical about Tehran's readiness for agreements, as it is unknown who makes decisions in the country following the death of a number of high-ranking officials.
Terms of a possible peace agreement
American sources reported that Trump is considering an agreement that would allow Iran to integrate with the global market and generate revenue from oil exports.
However, Tehran's demands for reparations as part of a peace agreement have been rejected.
Internal nuances in Iran
Sources note that Araghchi was not considered a key figure before the war, but he is now coordinating actions with the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, who is effectively running the country following the death of the supreme leader.
The US continues to maintain contact with Araghchi, considering him its main interlocutor.
French President Emmanuel Macron reported that he held a conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which they discussed the situation in the region. The French leader also called on Tehran to immediately cease attacks on countries in the Middle East, calling such actions unacceptable.
US allies predict that the conflict in the Middle East will not completely end before September.
